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FtORA MAC DONALD 



FLORA MACDONALD IN 
AMERICA 



Brief Sketcn of Her Life and Adventures 



by 



J. P. MACLEAN, Pk.D. 

Life Member Gaelic Society of Glasgow, and Clan MacLean Association of 

Glasgow ; Corresponding Member Davenport Academy of Sciences, and 

Western Reserve Historical Society ; Author of History of Clan MacLean, 

Scotch Highlanders in America, Antiquity of Man, the Mound 

Builders, Mastodon, Mammoth and Man, No.rse Discovery 

of America, Fingal's Cave, Introduction Study of 

St. John's Gospel, Shakers of Ohio, Jewish 

Nature Worship, Life of Richard Mc- 

Nemar, Bibliography of Shaker 

Literature, Etc. 



'Mid the pomp of huge London her heart still was yearning 
For her home in the corrie, the crag, and the glen; 
Though fair be the daughters of England, the fairest 
And stateliest tvalks in the land of the Ben. 



LutnLerton, N. C. 

A. W. McLean 

1909 







HIGHI^AND ARMS 



©C.I.A259004 






^ 

d 



To 

ANGUS WILTON McLean, Esq^. 
of 

LUMBERTON, NORTH CAROLINA 

Whose ancestors 
bore an important part in the scenes wherein 

Flora MacDonald 

was a chief actor in North Carolina 
and who takes a deep interest in all things pertaining 
to that event, as well as those relating to the Highlands 
of Scotland and his own distinguished clan, besides 
being busily engaged in the practice of law 
and the development of the natural re- 
sources of his native State, this 
volume is respectfully 
dedicated by 

The Author 



Xhe Lament oi Flora MacDonald 

Far over yon hills of the heather so green, 

And down by the corrie that sings to the sea. 
The bonnie young Flora sat sighing her lane, 

The dew on her plaid, and the tear in her e'e. 
She looked at a boat with the breezes that swung 

Away on the wave, like a bird of the main ; 
And aye as it lessened, she sighed and she sung, 

"Farewell to the lad I shall ne'er see again ! 
Farewell to my hero, the gallant and young! 

Farewell to the lad I shall ne'er see again. 

"The moorcock that crows on the brow of Ben-Connal, 

He kens o' his bed in a sweet mossy hame. 
The eagle that soars o'er the cliffs o' Clan-Ronald, 

Unawed and unhunted, his eyrie can claim. 
The solan can sleep on his shelf of the shore. 

The cormorant roost on his rock of the sea ; 
But, oh ! there is ane whose hard fate I deplore ; 

Nor house, ha', nor hame, in his country has he. 
The conflict is past, and our name is noi more : 

There 's naught left but sorrow for Scotland and me. 

"The target is torn from the arms of the just. 
The helmet is cleft on the brow of the brave. 
The claymore forever in darkness must rust, 

But red is the sword of the stranger and slave; 
The hoof of the horse, and the foot of the proud 

Have trode o'er the plumes on the bonnet of blue. 
Why slept the red bolt in the breast of the cloud, 

When tyranny reveled in blood of the true? 
Farewell, my young hero, the gallant and good. 

The crown of thy fathers is torn from thv brow." 

— James Hogg. 



i atle of Contents 



CHAPTER I. 

PAGE 

Introductory Note 7 

CHAPTER H. 
Flora MacDonald's Early Life 10 

CHAPTER HI. 
Flora MacDonald Becomes Famous 12 

CHAPTER IV. 
IMarriage and Person 22 

CHAPTER V. 
Financl\l Embarrassment of Allen MacDonald 27 

CHAPTER VI. 
Flora MacDonald Removes to America 28 

CHAPTER VH 
Rising of the Higpilanders in 1776 35 

CHAPTER VIII. 
Battle of Widow Moore's Creek Bridge 57 

CHAPTER IX. 
Results of the Battle 64 

CHAPTER X. 
Final Trials of Flora MacDonx\ld 77 




CAVE IN SKYE OCCUPIED BY PRINCE CHARLES JUST BEFORE 
I^EAVING FOR RAASAY 




FLORA MAC DONALD 
(iM-om Allan Ramsay's Painting from Life) 



Flora MacDonald m America 



CHAPTER I. 

Introductory Note. 

Flora MacDonald needs no introduction to all true lovers of High- 
land Scotch history. It is superfluous to pass an eulogium on her 
character, or sing her praises. She lives, and will continue to live 
in the hearts of all who are able to appreciate disinterested heroism 
of an exalted type. Her countrymen had just been defeated while 
engaged in the greatest act of chivalry the world had ever witnessed. 
It was befitting that a woman of true nobility of character should be 
called on to bear a part, daring, heroic, and romantic. Her character 
has been extolled ; her praises embalmed in song-; her heroism depicted 
as an example to be imitated, and her patriotism to be admired. Withal, 
a person to be loved for her womanly virtues, which must be regarded 
as a just pattern of excellence. 

The admiration and esteem for Flora MacDonald are largely due 
to an act on her part which took place between June 26 and 30, 1746, 
when, at a critical period, she saved Prince Charles Edward from 
falling into the hands of his enemies. Even a stranger story remains 
here to be told. Her act at the age of twenty-four, embellished in 
story and song, has long overshadowed a greater and more deliberate 
heroism performed at the ripe age of fifty-four. This has been passed 
over, or else referred to only incidentally. Flora MacDonald was a 
greater power and a more commanding figure during her residence 
in America than when she displayed her heroism by saving the life of 
him who brought countless woes upon her countrymen and hurled 
many valiant souls down to destruction. Yet how little is known of 
Flora MacDonald in America! The fugitive articles and biographical 
notices of her in the press of her native country betray almost a total 
ignorance on the subject. Even her biography, written by her grand- 

7 



8 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

daughter, Mrs. Flora Frances Wilde, extending to nearly four hundred 
pages, two-thirds of which is pure fiction, passes over this interesting 
period with a notice of less than four pages. The "Life of Flora Mac- 
Donald," written by Rev. Alexander Macgregor, a more conscientious 
and painstaking biographer, contains but five pages relating to her 
sojourn in America. 

Having seen no satisfactory account of Flora MacDonald's life in 
North Carolina, I was moved to make a thorough investigation, the 
result of which I published in the Celtic Monthly, Glasgow, for the 
year 1900. By request of the editor of the American Monthly Mag- 
a::inc, I abridged the account, and the same appears in the issue of 
that journal for August, 1900. Then I dismissed the subject from my 
mind with no thought of ever pursuing it again. 

By special invitation, on the morning of February 20, 1909, I 
entered the hospitable mansion of Hon. Angus W. McLean, Lumber- 
ton, North Carolina, to pay him a visit. Within less than an hour after 
my appearance, complete arrangements had been entered into, by which 
I was to rewrite my production on Flora MacDonald, and Air. McLean 
was to finance the enterprise. I had no hesitancy on entering into the 
compact, because I knew that North Carolina contained a very large 
Highland Scotch population, where the name of Flora MacDonald is 
venerated, to say nothing of a similar people scattered throughout the 
various States of the Union, besides the same race in Canada. As 
these people take a just pride in their ancestry it was safe to infer that 
the publication would receive a hearty welcome. 

It was but a natural consequence that Mr. McLean should be 
specially interested in Flora MacDonald. His great-grandfather, John 
MacLean, emigrated from the Isle of Mull to North Carolina, and the 
clan of MacLean, of that period, was still a strong partisan of the 
House of Stuart. Besides this, Mr. McLean's great-grandfather. Col- 
onel James MacOueen, was a grandnephew of the heroine of this 
story, and came to North Carolina, fFdm the Isle of Skye, in the year 
1765, accompanied by his sisters, Polly, Nepsie, and Isabel. He 
landed at Wilmington, proceeded up the Cape Fear River to Cross 
Creek, where he remained for a short time, and then, with his sisters, 
went to Anson County, and there taught school for several years. He 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE V 

was living in that county when Flora MacDonalcl came to America, 
and through his influence Allen and Flora MacDonald were persuaded 
to leave Cameron's Hill and settle in Anson County. Flora lived for a 
short time with the MacQueen's before settling at Killiegrey. Just 
after the close of the Revolution, Colonel MacQueen married Nancy 
MacRae, and purchased a large tract of land about ten miles south of 
Maxton, giving his home the name of Queensdale, which it still retains. 
He was a frequent visitor at Flora MacDonald's, and during her hours 
of adversity, supplied her with money and looked after her necessities 
while her husband was a prisoner. When Flora left America for Skye, 
he again supplied her with money to meet her expenses and pressing 
obligations. He had been successful in amassing what, at that time, 
was a large fortune. 

It is only fair to state that some points in the narrative I found 
myself unable to unravel. I notified Mr. McLean, who at once gave 
his time and energy and succeeded in gaining valuable information, 
and placed the same at my disposal. I further state the manuscript of 
this work was not submitted to his inspection, and the contents are 
wholly on my own responsibility. 

Before leaving North Carolina, I set about securing all available 
information, visited Cross Creek (now Fayetteville), sought out those 
supposed to have items of interest, and from all, living in different 
communities, I received the utmost courtesy. To Mr. John MacLean, 
of Glasgow, Scotland, I am indebted for photos of the monument of 
Flora MacDonald's grave, and her statue in the city of Inverness. The 
illustrations of scenes in Skye are taken from Thomas Pennant's Tour 
in Scotland and Voyage to the Hebrides, made in 1772. 

The object of this production is not to present the hfe of Flora 
MacDonald, but mainly to confine the account to her history as con- 
nected with North Carolina, though recognizing the necessity for a 
brief historical sketch in order that a uniform narrative may be main- 
tained. In presenting this testimony, with the additional facts revealed, 
it is hoped that the effort will meet the approval of all who are interested 
in the life and character of the Scottish heroine. If such shall be the 
result, then I shall feel well repaid for my labor. 

franklin, Ohio, April 6, ipop. 



CHAPTER II. 
Flora MacDonald's Early Life. 

Flora MacDonald, of the family of Clanranald, a sept of the Clan 
MacDonald, was born in 1722 — month and day not given — in Milton, 
South Uist, one of the outer Hebrides of Scotland. Patronimically 
she was designated "Fionnghal nighean RaonuiU'ic Aonghais Oig, an 
Airidh Mhuilinn," or "Flora, the daughter of Ranald, the son of 
Angus, younger of Milton." Her mother was Marian, daughter of 
Rev. ^ Angus MacDonald. Flora was the only daughter of the family, 
but she had two brothers. Her younger brother, Angus, succeeded his 
father at Milton, while her mother, in 1728, married, for her second 
husband, Captain Hugh MacDonald of Armadale in Skye. On the 
removal of the mother to Armadale, Angus felt very reluctant to part 
with his sister, then six years of age. As the mother and son could 
not agree, the decision was left to Flora. On being asked if she pre- 
ferred to go to Skye with her mother, or remain with her brother at 
Milton, she instantly replied, "I will stay at Milton because I love it. 
I do not know Skye, and do not care for it. I will therefore remain 
with Angus until my dear mamma comes back to me." As a child she 
was precocious, and her behavior so excellent that parents who knew 
her, in correcting their own children would ask them, "C'uin a bhios 
sibh cosmhuil ri Fionnghal Nighean Roanuill, an Airidh-Mhuilinn?" 
or, "When will you resemble Flora of Milton?" She was a particular 
favorite with all the families of the Isle, especially so with Clanranald 
(Ranald MacDonald, fifteenth of Clanranald) and his lady, the latter 
acting toward her more like a mother than a distant relative. 

At the age of thirteen Flora entered the family of Clanranald at 
Ormiclade, and there remained for three years, receiving instruction 
from a governess retained in the hospitable mansion. In 1739, Lady 
Clanranald was persuaded by Lady Margaret MacDonald, wife of Sir 
Alexander MacDonald of the Isles, residing at Monkstadt, in Skye, 
to send Flora to her, as she and Sir Alexander were desirous that 
Flora should be educated. Accordingly, in the fall of 1741, she was 

10 



FLORA MACDONALD's EARLY LIFE 11 

sent to Edinburgh, and there attended a boarding-school provided for 
girls, and in that city she stayed continuously for over three years, 
and attended closely to her education. 

On receiving the news of the disastrous defeat of the British at 
Fontenoy, Sir Alexander determined to leave Edinburgh, with Lady 
Margaret and Flora, for home. On the third of June, the party went 
on board the Brothers in Leith harbor, and on the evening of the same 
day set sail. On board was a goodly company, among which was 
Lord President Forbes of Culloden. After eight days the vessel 
landed its passengers at Inverness, where Sir Alexander was met by 
his servants with three horses properly saddled to convey the party to 
Skye, and after a tiresome journey over bridlepaths, in due time arrived 
safely at Monkstadt. 

Having remained four days at Monkstadt, Flora procured passage 
for the Long Island, in order to visit her brother at Milton and also 
Lady Clanranald at Ormiclade. She received a warm reception from 
her old friends who assembled in order to bid her welcome. So happy 
was old Clanranald that he addressed his young friend in Gaelic : 
"Flora, my dear, I rejoice to see your comely face again. You are wel- 
come back to the Isle of your birth, for the household was devoid of 
joy and gladness since you left it; and even 'Ceolag' itself (the small 
pianoforte), as if under lamentation, was mute." 



CHAPTER III. 

Flora MacDonald Becomes Famous. 

At the time of the return of Flora MacDonald to her native Isle, 
almost all of Scotland was in a state of excitement over the rumor 
that Prince Giarles Edward Stuart was about to visit them. The 
partisans of the House of Stuart who were with Prince Charles kept 
their friends in the Isles and on the mainland posted regarding the 
movements and purposes of the young chevalier. 

On July 23, 1745, on board the Doutelle, Prince Charles arrived at 
the Island of Eriska, in the Sound of Barra. 

It is foreign to the purpose, in this connection, to enter even into 
an epitome of the uprising of4he Highlanders in 1745, in behalf of the 
House of Stuart, which ended in the disastrous battle of Culloden, 
fought on Drummossi Muir, near Inverness, April 16, 1746. That 
history has been frequently and graphically retold, and all the facts 
readily accessible to all who may need inquire. 

The overthrow of the Highland army was followed by a brutality 
and inhumanity unequaled in the annals of history, practised under the 
direct command of the Duke of Cumberland, son of the reigning sov- 
ereign. "Rebel hunting," as Cumberland and his lawless soldiery called 
it, was mercilessly practised in every quarter. Outrages were perpe- 
trated on defenseless women too shocking to be narrated. The duke 
issued a proclamation denouncing immediate deatli, by being shot or 
hanged, against all persons who harbored any of the rebels, or aided 
them to escape into their mountain recesses. Prince Charles believing 
that his cause was not hopeless, determined to make his way as quickly 
as possible to France, in order to use his personal exertions in pro- 
curing powerful supplies. Without announcing his intentions he set 
out upon a westerly course, arriving at Invergary Castle on the seven- 
teenth on his way to the Long Island, where he hoped to find a vessel, 
whereby he could be conveyed to France. On the twenty-seventh he 
landed on the Long Island, and his arrival there created great excite- 

12 



FLORA MACDONALD BECOMES FAMOUS 13 

ment. Soon his situation became desperate, for the English took im- 
mediate action for guarding every avenue of escape, and the unfortu- 
nate prince learned that a reward of £30,000 had been offered for his 
apprehension. 

During the period above referred to. Flora MacDonald resided 
principally with the family at Ormiclade. Old Clanranald and Sir 
Alexander MacDonald sympathized with the existing government, and ■ 
Flora's feelings were enlisted with those of her chief. The hardships 
of the prince were rehearsed to her, and her amiable disposition nat- 
urally went out to him in his misfortunes, little thinking that soon her 
good services should be called upon to extricate him from his perilous 
position. 

Suffering, want, and danger rapidly pressed upon the prince. In 
the hour of dire extremity. Flora MacDonald was appealed to and urged 
to become his deliverer, as at that time he was in her immediate neigh- 
borhood. She was informed of his miserable state ; the cold and damp 
cave in which he was sheltered ; his gaunt, haggard, and half-famished 
appearance ; his tattered raiment, and yet hopeful disposition. It re- 
quired but little persuasion to induce her to comply, for a recital of 
the prince's condition appealed to her sympathies, and fully realizing 
that immediate action was necessary, she formed her plans, after listen- 
ing to the advice of others. She repaired to Milton in order that her 
brother might be acquainted with her design. On her return from 
Milton she was seized by a party of militia, and having no passport, 
was detained prisoner for the night. Early on the following morning 
her step-father. Captain Hugh MacDonald, in command, found her in 
the guard-house, which was a small, turf-built hut, roofed with bul- 
rushes. Flora applied to him for a passport for herself, her man- 
servant, an Irish spinning-maid named Betty Burke, and for six of a 
crew, all destined for Armadale in Skye. On June 26, Flora was con- 
ducted to the cave where the prince had taken refuge. As the prince 
was to impersonate Betty Burke, the proper dress had been provided 
and brought along. No sooner had the prince been metamorphosed 
into a tall, awkward, Irish servant than a messenger arrived announcing 
that Captain Ferguson and Major Allan MacDonald, with troops, had 
reached Ormiclade, and that Lady MacDonald, who had accompanied 



14 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

Flora, must hasten home to avoid suspicion. On reaching home she 
was rigidly and rudely questioned by her military visitors. 

On the night of June 27, the prince narrowly escaped being taken 
prisoner. Flora had procured a boat with six oarsmen, and every other 
necessary, and walked along the shore with Lady Clanranald to a 
distance of a mile from Clanranald's house, where, according to ap- 
pointment, the prince (dressed as Betty Burke) and Colonel O'Neale 
met her. The rain was falling in torrents. To their consternation they 
saw four armed cutters so close to the shore that they could not get 
away unobserved by the soldiers on board the boats, and therefore 
skulked among the rocks till the vessels passed them. In about an 
hour after, their own boat, concealed in a neighboring creek, with 
muffled oars, rowed up gently to the spot where it was so anxiously 
expected. With all possible speed they embarked on their perilous 
voyage across the Minch to Skye, a distance of nearly forty miles. 

The voyage proved to be perilous in the extreme. The whole 
channel was scoured by armed vessels, making the chances of success 
exceedingly doubtful. On leaving the shore the weather was calm 
and serene, and then a moderate breeze sprang up, but the wind was 
favorable. Within a few hours one of those summer storms, so com- 
mon in the Isles, unexpectedly came on, the wind blowing terrific gusts, 
rolling the billows high, and threatening to engulf the frail craft. Then 
a thunder-storm set in, painfully alarming the party as to their safety. 
The crew, composed of picked men, excellent seamen and skilled in 
managing a craft in a storm, was forced to call forth their utmost 
energies that night to manage the boat amid the raging billows. At 
break of day the storm moderated, and in the dim distance appeared 
the lofty headlands of Skye. As the boat approached Waternish, a 
party of the MacLeod militia stationed there ran to the shore with their 
guns and leveled them at the boat. The tide being out, the crew, with 
desperate pulls, forced the boat beyond the reach of the militia, amid 
a shower of bullets which riddled the sails, cleft the handle of the 
helm, and grazed a finger of the steersman. The prince stood up and 
cheered the crew and also endeavored to persuade Flora to remain 
in the bottom of the boat. This she declined unless he also would seek 



FLORA MACDONALD BECOMES FAMOUS 15 

such protection. Eventually as the danger increased, both squatted 
down and so continued until the boat was out of danger. 

When once more fairly out at sea, Flora, overcome with the watch- 
fulness and anxiety of the night, fell asleep upon the bottom of the boat. 
Proceeding on their voyage a few miles to the northward, the boat 
was put into a cleft, in order to rest and refresh the rowers ; but the 
alarm which their appearance occasioned in a village hard by, obliged 
them to put to sea again. Finally they landed, on the twenty-ninth, 
at a place called Kilbride, in the parish of Kilmuir, and within five hun- 
dred yards of Monkstadt, the residence of Sir Alexander MacDonald. 

Under a shelving rock at Kilbride, at that time, was a cave into 
which the prince entered. Flora, accompanied by her faithful servant, 
Niel (father of the celebrated Marshall MacDonald, Duke of Taren- 
tum), repaired at once to Monkstadt. The heroine was at once shown 
into the drawing-room where she found quite a number in military 
dress, among whom was Captain John MacLeod, in command of a 
company of militia stationed two miles distant. MacLeod's language 
to her was rude and the questions put to her positively uncivil ; but she 
never lost her self-possession, and all her replies were in calm and 
pleasing words. Her deportment was so fascinating and agreeable 
throughout that she won the esteem of the officer, and had the honor 
of being escorted by him to dinner, where she received his most assid- 
uous attentions. Although he had rigidly examined every boat that 
landed in his vicinity, yet, through the consummate diplomacy of Flora, 
he neglected that which bore the maiden and her companions. 

It was of the utmost importance that Lady MacDonald should be 
secretly apprised of the situation. This duty devolved upon Alex- 
ander MacDonald, of Kingsburgh, factor to Sir Alexander. Although 
Lady MacDonald was a thorough Jacobite, yet the information 
greatly alarmed her. It was decided that the prince should at once be 
removed to Kingsburgh's residence, situated some miles distant on the 
north shore of Loch Snizort. 

Having delayed the company a sufficient length of time for Kings- 
burgh and the prince to get a good start, Flora arose from the table 
and announced she should take her departure. Lady MacDonald af- 
fected great concern at her short stay and entreated her to prolong it. 



16 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

Flora, on the other hand, pleaded the necessity of being at home on 
account of her mother's illness. With great apparent reluctance, Lady 
MacDonald permitted her young guest to depart. 

On the journey Flora, with her servant, Niel, was accompanied by 
Mrs. MacDonald of Kirkibost and her two servants, all five riding on 
horseback. They soon overtook the prince, who had thus far walked 
on the public highway, but was soon to turn off on an unfrequented 
path across the wild country. Flora, anxious that her fellow-traveler's 
servants should not see the route of the prince, called upon the party 
to ride faster; and the two pedestrians were passed at a trot. Mrs. 
MacDonald's girl perceiving the prince, still in female attire, remarked 
that she "had never seen such a tall, impudent-looking woman in her 
life ! See," she continued, addressing Flora, "what long strides the 
jade takes ! I dare say she is an Irish woman, or else a man in woman's 
clothes." 

After an uncomfortable day's traveling through the rain, Kings- 
burgh, Flora, and the prince arrived safely at Kingsburgh Mouse 
about eleven at night. 

The following day Prince Charles, Kingsburgh, and Flora set out 
on foot for Portree, fourteen miles distant. After pursuing their way 
a considerable distance, the prince, with Kingsburgh, retired into a 
wood, where the former exchanged his female attire into a suit con- 
sisting of a short coat and waistcoat, a philibeg and short hose, a plaid, 
a wig, and a bonnet. There the company separated, Kingsburgh to 
return home, the prince to proceed, accompanied by a little herdboy, 
and Flora taking a different route for the same place. At Portree the 
prince took farewell of Flora by saying, "For all that has happened, 
I hope, madam, we shall meet in St. James yet." He never communi- 
cated with her afterwards, nor recognized the obligations due her and 
the gratitude which he should have expressed, although he lived for 
forty-two years after the parting in Portree. 

There is a tradition, still current among the descendants of Col. 
James MacQueen, in North CaroHna, that Prince Charles, while being 
piloted by Flora MacDonald, came near being captured at one of their 
stopping-places, from the manner in which he received peas served in 
the house where they were stopping. After supper some one suggested 




TARTING OF FLORA MAC DONALD AND PRINCF CMARLFS 
tFi-om "Ascanius; or, the Young Adventurer") 



FLORA MACDONALD BECOMES FAMOUS 1? 

that the peas be shelled for the next day, and all agreed to join in the 
work. The hostess, in distributing the peas to be shelled, suggested 
to the other women present to prepare their laps for them. All the 
women present, except "Bettie Burke," spread their laps, as was the 
custom, to receive them, while Bettie drew her (his) knees together, 
man fashion. The incident was observed and remarked at the time and 
came nearly leading to the detection that Bettie was a man in disguise, 
only the hurried departure of Flora and her charge preventing detection. 

Flora, having parted with the prince at Portree, went to spend a 
few days with her mother at Armadale, and then took her departure 
for her brother's residence at Milton. 

A mistake was made in allowing the boat which brought the party 
to Skye to return so soon. Flora did not order it, nor did she com- 
mand the men to stay. On the return of the boat the men were instantly 
arrested and examined separately, when all the facts became known. 

Having arrived at Milton, Flora took no steps to conceal herself, 
although aware that she was being diligently sought for, as she was 
now considered to be the principal offender. She was, within a few 
days after her arrival at INIilton, summoned to appear for examination 
before MacLeod of Talisker, a captain of militia, in the Isle of Skye. 
Her friends importuned her to disobey the summons and secret herself 
amid the mountain fastnesses of their native isle. She peremptorily 
declined, declaring that she had done nothing of which she was 
ashamed, and would appear before any government official and answer 
any charges that might be instituted. Unprotected and alone she 
responded to the summons of Captain MacLeod, who permitted her to 
visit her mother at Armadale. Before reaching there she was seized 
by an officer in command of a party of soldiers and conveyed a prisoner 
■on board the Furnace, commanded by Captain Ferguson. General 
John Campbell, happening to be on board the vessel, took her in charge 
and treated her with great consideration, permitting her to visit her 
mother, replenish her wardrobe, and to procure a female servant. On 
board this vessel she remained twenty-two days. 

After many trials, much suffering, and several hairbreadth es- 
capes, Prince Charles succeeded in eluding his pursuers, and on Sep- 
tember 20 set sail from Loch Arkaig, on the mainland, on board the 



18 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

Bellona of Nantes, and the twenty-ninth arrived at Roscori;, near 
Morlaix, after narrowly escaping Admiral Lestock's squadron. 

The narrative of the wanderings of the prince reads more like 
a romance than a reality, and is entertainingly set forth in various 
books, especially so in Keltie's History of the Highland Clans, Cham- 
ber's History of the Rebellion of 1/4^-46, and Boswell's Tour of the 
Hebrides, all of which contain full accounts of Flora MacDonald's 
participation in the prince's escape. 

By order of General Campbell, Flora MacDonald was conveyed 
to Dunstaffnage Castle, where she was confined for about ten days. 
Here she received much attention, not only from the governor, but 
also from the most prominent families. From the castle she was taken 
and placed in a wherry, and before a stiff breeze the frail craft glided 
swiftly down Loch Etive towards the Sound of Mull, and soon dis- 
appeared. She was then put on board the Bridgeivater, which put into 
Leith Roads early in September and remained there until November. 

By this time the name of Flora MacDonald had become famous, 
and wherever the winds had wafted her deeds she was regarded as 
a heroine and greatly admired. While the Bridgewater was lying in 
Leith Roads she was almost constantly visited by the better class, both 
at Leith and Edinburgh. All appeared to be interested in her and did 
what was in their power to add to her comfort. Her wise conduct, 
good sense, and fortitude impressed all alike. 

The Bridgewater, in which Flora MacDonald was held a prisoner, 
left Leith Roads on November 7 and carried her direct to London. Her 
fame had preceded her to the metropolis and had excited as much 
interest as was exhibited in Scotland. The government, realizing that 
the nation deeply sympathized with the fair prisoner, deemed it would 
be unwise to commit her to the common gaol, and that it would injure 
their popularity if she was visited with the severity of the law, after 
a short confinement in the Tower, turned her over to the custody of 
friends who became responsible for her appearance when demanded. 
For nearly twelve months she remained a state prisoner. On the 
passage of the Indemnity Act, in July, 1747, Flora MacDonald was 
set at liberty. On receiving her liberation she became a guest of honor 
in the house of Lady Primrose, and was there visited by crowds of 




(From Original Painting by I. Mackluin, 1747) 



20 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

the fashionable world who paid her great homage. Artists waited upon 
her to procure her portrait, and others to award their gifts. In London 
a subscription was raised for her amounting to £1,500. All this demon- 
stration produced no effect on her mind but that of surprise; she had 
only performed an act of humanity, and never thought of it in any 
other light until she found the world making so much ado over it. 

Before leaving London she particularly interested herself in the 
liberation of old Kingsburgh, a state prisoner in Scotland, and others, 
and was gratified at her success. When all matters were finally ar- 
ranged, with her faithful Niel MacDonald she left London in a coach 
and four for Edinburgh. Leaving Edinburgh she proceeded to Inver- 
ness and became a guest among her friends for ten days. Thence, on 
horseback she journeyed to her mother's home at Armadale. 

For two months she rested at her mother's home, and then visited 
her friends at Scalpa, Raasay, Scorribreck, Kingsburgh, Flodigarry, 
and especially at Monkstadt where Sir Alexander MacDonald- and 
Lady Margaret rejoiced at her appearance. While staying at Scorri- 
breck, Mr. Nicholson invited a large party of the neighboring ladies 
and gentlemen to meet the distinguished heroine. Among them was 
Major Allan MacDonald, who had, by a cunning device, arrested 
Flora's friend, Donald MacLeod of Galtrigal, and was the cause of his 
imprisonment. The major held out his hand to welcome Flora, where- 
upon she tartly said : "Yes, sir, I give you my hand, but not entirely 
with my heart. I wish to show all courtesy to the profession which 
you have disgraced by a low and base strategem utterly unworthy of 
the conduct of a soldier, a Highlander, and a gentleman !" This honest 
expression for a moment paralyzed the whole company. 

A few visits were made among the respectable families in the 
vicinity of Portree, where all were delighted to receive her. Next she 
resorted to the mansion house of Kingsburgh, which was simply a 
heath-thatched cottage surrounded by trees. At that period there 
were but three slated houses on the island, not including Armadale, 
Dunvegan Castle, and a prison. The thatched houses were warm, 
comfortable, and well furnished. Unfortunately, Alexander MacDonald, 
who had recently returned from his long imprisonment in Edinburgh 
Castle, had gone to Flodigarry, in the north end of the island. From 



FLORA MACDONALD BECOMES FAMOUS 



21 



Kingsburgh she repaired to Monkstadt, and during her stay the house 
.was frequented by a great many visitors. It was on this occasion that 
Lady Margaret made the arrangements for Flora's marriage with Allen 
MacDonald, Kingsburgh's son. 




j-^i*3a- 



BARBAQUE CREEK KIRK 
(From Maclean's "Scotch Highlanders in America") 



CHAPTER IV. 
Marriage and Person, 

It has been noted that Flora MacDonald had become famous at 
home as well as abroad. On her return to Uist she made her home 
with her brother at Milton. She made frequent visits to Lady Clanra- 
nald at Ormiclade, and other families in the Long Island, and on 
several occasions crossed to the Isle of Skye to visit in the family at 
Monkstadt, and to pass lengthened intervals with her mother at Arma- 
dale. It is also in evidence that during the latter part of the year 1748 
she made a visit to London. 

Early in life Flora formed an attachment to Allen, son of Alex- 
ander MacDonald of Kingsburgh. The marriage took place at Flodi- 
garry, November 6, 1750, the festivities of which were on a large 
scale and lasted nearly a week, the company being unusually large. 
The bride was robed in a dress of the Stuart pattern, with which she 
had been presented by a lady friend when in London. An immense 
barn had been fitted up for the gentlemen's sleeping berths, and a 
similar place for ladies, while a pavilion was erected, and roofed with 
heather, to serve both for a banqueting hall and ball-room. 

Flodigarry is situated in the north end of Skye, sixteen miles dis- 
tant from Kingsburgh, and at that time was rented by Allen. It is 
one of the most romantic spots on the Isle, and of rare beauty. Here 
Flora and her husband remained until the death of old Kingsburgh,. 
which took place February 13, 1772, aged 83. 

Alexander MacDonald, Sixth of Kingsburgh, was a man of great 
integrity, probity, and honor, and was long one of the principal man- 
agers of his chief's affairs, having been first appointed by Sir Donald 
in 1718, and in his duties acquitted himself with great fidelity. In 
1746 he assisted Prince Charles to escape, and for one night entertained 
him in his house. For this he was ordered arrested by the Duke of 
Cumberland and thrown into Edinburgh Castle. The arrest was made- 

'12. 



MARRIAGE AND PERSON 23 

by General John Campbell, who sent him on parole, without any guard, 
to Fort Augustus, where he was plundered of everything, thrown into 
a dungeon and loaded with irons. Here he was examined by Sir 
Edward Fawkener, who reminded him of the noble opportunity he had 
lost by not betraying the prince. To this Kingsburgh righteously re- 
plied, "Had I gold and silver piled heaps upon heaps to the bulk of 
yon huge mountain, that mass could not afford me half the satisfaction 
I find in my own heart from doing what I have done." Another officer 
came and ^sked him if he would know the young pretender's head if 
he saw it. He replied that he would know it very well if he saw it 
on his shoulders. "But if the head were not on the shoulders, do you 
think you should know it in that case?" "In that case," answered 
Kingsburgh, "I will not pretend to know anything about it." He was 
removed to Edinburgh Castle under a strong guard, and there placed 
in a room by himself, which he was not allowed to leave, nor see any 
one except those in charge. Here he was kept until liberated, July 4, 
1747; having, as one author observed, "got a whole year's lodging for 
affording that of one night." 

Kingsburgh sustained heavy losses in consequence of the part he 
took in the prince's cause, and to his personal removal from the man- 
agement of his affairs by a year's imprisonment in Edinburgh Castle. 
Added to this he was deprived of the remunerative management of his 
chief's extensive estates. 

Allen MacDonald was one of the most handsome and powerful 
members of his clan, and possessed superior qualities of both mind and 
body. Boswell, in his Tour of the Hebrides, who first saw him on 
September 12, 1773, thus describes him: "Kingsburgh was completely 
the figure of a gallant Highlander, exhibiting the graceful • mien and 
manly looks, which our popular Scotch song has justly attributed to 
that character. He had his tartan plaid thrown about him, a large 
blue bonnet with a knot of black ribband like a cockade, a brown short 
coat of a kind of duffil, a tartan waistcoat with gold buttons and gold 
button-holes, a bluish philibeg, and tartan hose. He had jet black hair 
tied behind, and was a large, stately man, with a steady, sensible counte- 
nance." 



24 FLORA MACDOXALD IN AMERICA 

Boswell and Dr. Samuel Johnson made it a point to visit Kings- 
burgh House during their tour of the Hebrides, being attracted by the 
fame of its mistress. Boswell speaks of her as "a little woman, of a 
genteel appearance, and uncommonly mild and well-bred." 

Doctor Johnson, through the kindness of Flora, was permitted to 
sleep in the bed occupied by Prince Charles, and also to use the same 
sheets, which greatly pleased him. In his Journey to the Western Isles 
he was moved to say : "We were entertained with the usual hospitality 
by Mr. AlacDonald and his lady, Flora MacDonald, a name that will 
be mentioned in histor}', and if courage and fidelity be virtues, men- 
tioned with honor. She is a woman of middle stature, soft features, 
gentle manners, and elegant presence." In the morning on which he 
left Kingsburgh, a slip of paper was found on his toilet table, with the 
following Latin vv'ords written in pencil : "Quantum cedat virtutibus 
aurum," which Doctor Carruthers, in his Xofcs to Boswell's Tour, 
freely translates, "With virtue sacrificed, what worthless trash is gold." 

While imprisoned on board the Bridgczcater, in Leith Roads, 
Flora was visited by Bishop Forbes, who thus describes her : "Although 
she was easy and cheerful, yet she had a certain mixture of gravity 
in all her behaviour which became her situation exceedingly well, and 
set her off to great advantage. She is of a low stature, of a fair com- 
plexion, and well enough shaped. One would not discern by her 
conversation that she had spent all her former days in the Highlands ; 
for she talks English (or rather Scots) easily, and not at all through 
the Erse tone. She has a sweet voice, and sings well, and no lady, 
Edinburgh-bred, can acquit herself better at the tea-table than she 
did when in Leith Roads. Her wise conduct in one of the most 
perplexing scenes that can happen in life, her fortitude and good 
sense are memorable instances of the strength of a female mind, even 
in those years that are tender and inexperienced." 

In North Carolina it is a tradition, handed down by those who 
knew her, that she was "a dignified and handsome woman, to whom all 
paid great respect." It is the united testimony that at the time she 
left for America she still retained much of the beauty of her youth. 

Thomas Pennant visited Kingsburgh July 22, and 23, 1772. The 
only reference to the heroine he makes is the following paragraph : 




FLORA MACDONALD MEETING DOCTOR JOHNSON 
(From "Boswell's "Tour to the Hebrides") 



26 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

"After a passage of a mile landed at Kingsburgh, immortalized by its 
mistress, the celebrated Flora MacDonald, the fair protectress of a 
fugitive adventurer, who, after some days concealing himself from 
pursuit, in the disguise of the lady's maid, here flung off the female 
habit." However he remarks he was "lodged this night in the same 
bed that formerly received the unfortunate Charles Stuart," besides 
commenting on three very curious, ancient relics given him by Allen. 
In Pinkerton's General Collection of Voyages and Travels, I find this 
sentence inserted in the text: "I had the pleasure of her acquaintance 
at the first Sir Watkin William Wynne's in the year 1746; but at this 
time I unfortunately found that she was absent on a visit." 



CHAPTER V. 

Financial Embarrassment of Allen MacDonald. 

It must have been a matter of common notoriety that Allen Mac- 
Donald was greatly embarrassed financially. Boswell speaks of it as 
no secret, and refers to it in the following language : "In reality my 
heart was grieved, when I recollected that Kingsburgh was embarrassed 
in his affairs, and intended to go to America." This arose from no 
mismanagement or extravagance of his own or that of his prudent 
wife, but from the heavy losses of his father, growing out of the 
troublous times and the part he took in it. The losses appear to have 
been very great. As the representative of his father, Allen became 
entangled, but in the face of all his endeavors to surmount the liabilities 
he found his efforts would prove futile. 

The estate, known as Kingsburgh, was a part of the domain of 
Sir Alexander MacDonald of the Isles, and was occupied by the 
chamberlain. The first Kingsburgh was James MacDonald, brother of 
Donald Gorm MacDonald of Sleat, Lord of the Isles, who lived during 
the times of James V. and Queen Mary. He was succeeded by his son, 
John, who was killed at the battle of Lichd Li, fought by nearly the 
whole clan against the MacLeans of Mull. Allen was the seventh and 
last of Kingsburgh. 

The removal to America was deliberately considered by Allen and 
Flora, and the conclusion was probably arrived at by the spirit of 
emigration that had seized the MacDonalds. 



27 



CHAPTER VI. 
Flora MacDonald Removes to America, 

America had long sought emigrants from Europe, and some of the 
governors of the provinces interested themselves in arranging for such 
settlers as were seeking new homes. North Carolina had been a tempt- 
ing field. The region of the Cape Fear River presented peculiar at- 
tractions. It was a beautiful country, the climate mild, there were the 
tall pines on the uplands, the bottoms covered with rich canebrakes, an 
abundance of small game, and a soil adapted to the general wants. 
When the Highlanders first noticed the country there is no documentary 
evidence, but it is positively known that there was a settlement at the 
head of navigation of the Cape Fear as early as 1729. There is ar tra- 
dition that many Highlanders had located on the river immediately 
after the disastrous rising in 1715. At the time of the arrival of Flora 
MacDonald the Highland settlements had spread beyond the Cape 
Fear, and as high up as the confluence of the Deep and Haw, and to 
the Pedee where the Yadkin and Uwharie came together, and embraced 
the present counties of Cumberland, Plarnett, Moore, Montgomery, An- 
son, Richmond, Robeson, and Scotland, and even entering beyond the 
State line into South Carolina. 

The greatest migration was that immediately following the battle 
of Culloden, in 1746, led by Neill McNeill, of Jura, the people having 
been driven from their homes by oppression. These emigrants were 
of the very best types, well formed, strong, enterprising, and deeply 
religious. Previous to this time, in 1739, Neill had brought, principally 
from Argyleshire, three hundred and fifty, and settled them on the 
Cape Fear. Great numbers of families, during the years 1746 and 
1747, came to North Carolina, and settled about Cross Creek (now 
Fayetteville) in Cumberland County. There was a North Carolina 
mania for emigration which pervaded all classes, from the poorest 
crofter to the well-to-do farmer, and men of easy competence, who- 

28 



FLORA MACDONALD REMOVES TO AMERICA 29 

were, according to an appropriate song of the clay, "Dol a dh'iarruidh an 
fhortain do North CaroHna." 

The emigration to America from the Highlands of Scotland was 
so pronounced that the Scottish papers made frequent reference to it 
and bemoaned the prevalence. The Scots Magazine for September, 
1769, records that the ship Molly sailed from Islay on August 21, full 
of passengers for North Carolina, which was the third emigration from 
Argyle "since the close of the late war." A subsequent issue of the 
same paper states that fifty-four vessels full of emigrants from the 
Western Islands and other parts of the Highlands sailed for North 
Carolina between April and July, 1770, conveying twelve hundred 
emigrants. Early in 1771, the same magazine states that five hundred 
emigrants in Islay and adjoining isles were preparing to sail for Amer- 
ica. Again it records that the ship Adventure sailed from Loch Erribol, 
Sunday, August 17, 1772, with upwards of two hundred emigrants 
from Sutherlandshire for North Carolina. Other reports might be 
referred to. In 1772 the great MacDonald emigration commenced, and 
continued until the outbreak of the American Revolution. It was dur- 
ing this period that the MacDonalds outnumbered any of the other 
clans -in North America. The Revolution stopped emigration, which 
did not break out again until 1805. 

The emigrants maintained their manners, customs, language, and 
religion, all of which have now changed, except their religion, which 
has been modified. A person passing through the North Carolina 
country inhabited by the Scotch Highlanders would have seen many 
a warrior who had fought at Preston, at Falkirk, and at Culloden. He 
was still the plaided warrior, though his claymore was sheathed. 

The MacDonald emigration swept Allen and Flora MacDonald 
into its current. Flora was ready and willing to sacrifice everything 
for her husband's comfort, and to accompany him to any quarter where 
he might surmount his difficulties. In making their domestic arrange- 
ments, the son, John, was placed under the care of Sir Alexander Mac- 
Kenzie of Delvin, until he was of age, for an India appointment, and 
a girl, then nine years of age, was left with friends. The other chil- 
dren accompanied their parents, who set sail on board the Baliol from 



30 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

Campbelton, Kintyre, for North Carolina, in the month of August, 
1774. They left the 

"Land of grey rock and drifting rain, 
Of clamorous brook and boisterous main, — 
Of treacherous squall and furious gale. 
That bend the mast or rend the sail — 
Land of green pine and harebell blue, 
Of furze and fern of various hue ; 
Of deep ravine, and cavern hoar; 
Of jutting crag and dangerous shore. 

"Land of the pibroch and the plaid ; 
Land of the henchman and the raid ; 
Land of the chieftain and the clan. 
Of haughty laird and vassal-man. 
Of Kelt, of Gael, of Catheran. 
Land of tall cliff and lonely dell, 
The eagle's perch, the outlaw's cell ; — 
Land of the brave, the fair, the good ; 
Land of the onslaught, foray, feud ; 
Land of the ptarmigan and roe; 
Land where Glenlivat's fountains flow, 
Sparkling and bright as 'mountain dew,' 
The heart to warm, the strength renew. 
Land of the long, long wintry night. 
The dancing, streaming boreal light ; 
The misty morn, the brightening noon, 
The dewy eve, the radiant moon; 
Land of the sprightly reel and glee; 
The wraith, the fairy, the banshee; 
Land where the patriot loves to roam 
Far distant from his native home ; 
And yet, on every foreign strand. 
Still sighing for his native land! , 

"Land of basaltic rock and cave, 
Where tempests howl and surges rave ; 
Where Fingal sat and Ossian sung. 
While Staffa's echoing caverns rung 
With feats achiev'd by heroes' arms. 
With tragic tales and war's alarms. 
With lover's vows and lady's charms. 

"Land of the heathery hill and moor, 
Of rude stone cot and cold clay floor; 
Of barefoot nymph and tartan'd boor. 

"Land of the kirk, austere and pure, 
From pope and prelacy secure, — 
With pastor grave and flock demure. 
Land of the metaphysic strife. 
Where mortal's lot in future life 
Is settled by presumptuous man. 
Who dares the Almighty's ways to scan ! 



FLORA MACDONALD REMOVES TO AMERICA 31 



"Land of the eagle's airy nest, 
On Glencoe's cliffs or Nevis' crest; 
Land of the lochs, that winding sweep 
Round mountain's base and headland steep. 
Land of the tottering keep and tower, 
O'er moat that frown, o'er surge that lower; 
Land of the thousand isles that sleep 
'Twixt lowering cloud and murmuring deep; 
Land of the thousand barks that ride 
O'er curling wave or confluent tide ; 
And, without aid of oar or sail, 
Urge their fleet course 'gainst tide or gale. 



"Land where the torrents leap from high, 
And o'er their rocky barriers fly 
In sheets of foam, with thundering roar, 
Pown through the dark ravine to pour; 

I- 'it the signal gives to weigh; 
1 he w> ': jAid tides brook no delay. 
Bleak Mull, farewell ! I must away." 

What were the thotights of Flora MacDonald as she caught the 
last glimpse of Skye, or how deep was the poetic part of her nature, we 
will never know. It may be she thought the sentiment, if not the lan- 
guage of the poet : 

"Farewell, lovely Skye, sweet isle of my childhood. 

Thy blue mountains I'll clamber no more; 
Thy heath-skirted corries, green valleys and wildwood, 

I now leave behind for a far-distant shore. 
Adieu, ye stern cliffs, clad in old, hoary grandeur; 

Adieu, ye still dingles, fond haunts of the roe. 

"How painful to part from the misty-robed Coollin, 

The Alps of Great Britain, with antlered peaks high; 
Bold Glamaig, Coruisk, and sublime Scuirnagillin, 

Make mainland grand mountains look dull, tame, and shy. 
Majestic Quiraing, fairy place of Nature, 

Stormy Idrigill, Hailleaval, and cloud-piercing Stoer, 
And the shining Spar-cave, like some beacon to heaven, 

All I deeply lament, and may never see more ! 

"Once more, dearest isle, let me gaze on thy mountains. 

Once more let the village church gleam on my view ; 
And my ear drink the music of murmuring fountains. 

While I bid to my old and my young friends adieu. 
Farewell, lovely Skye, lake, mountain, and corrie; 

Brown isle of the valiant, the brave, and the free ; 
Ever green to thy sod, resting-place of my Flora, 

My sighs are for Skye, my tears are for thee." 



32' FLORA MACBOXALD IN AMERICA 

The good ship Baliol had a very favorable passage to the Western 
World. The time of the departure of Flora MacDonald v/as known 
to her kindred and countrymen in North Carolina, where she was anx- 
iously expected and joyfully received on her arrival. Her name was 
as well known among them as it was in Scotland, and held in just as 
great esteem. Many had known her in childhood and early woman- 
hood, though some had not seen her since the rising of 1745. All these 
people, and others, felt proud of the prospect that she should cross the 
ocean to become one of their number. A royal welcome was determined 
upon, which was actuated by a genuine feeling of love, admiration, and 
praise for her heroism and noble character. Demonstrations, on a large 
scale, were made to welcome her to America, and her new home, 
wherever she might decide to become a denizen. Soon after her landing 
a largely-attended ball was given in her honor at Wilmington, when 
she was greatly gratified by the special attention bestowed on her 
daughter, Anne, then entering into womanhood, and of surpassing 
beauty. 

From Wilmington the Kingsburgh family proceeded to Cross 
Creek, then regarded as the capital of the Highland settlement. Before 
reaching Cross Creek the party was met by a large procession in order 
that Flora might be properly escorted into their midst. As she ap- 
proached the capital, the strains of the Piohaireachd, and the martial 
airs of her native land fell upon the ears of the multitude. In the vast 
concourse of people were some of her old neighbors and kinsfolks, 
many of whom had crossed the Atlantic years before. Their faces, 
manner, and voices bore testimony to the welcome of the heart. Many 
families of distinction pressed upon her to make their dwellings her 
home, but she respectfully declined, preferring a settled abode of her 
own. 

As the Laird of Kingsburgh had decided to become a planter, he 
left his family in Cross Creek until he had secured a permanent loca- 
tion. The house in which the family is said to have lived during this 
period was built immediately upon the brink of the creek, and for 
many years after was known as "Flora MacDonald's house," although 
during my brief visit there four different spots were pointed out as 
being the site of her residence. It is possible that the various places 



FLORA MACDOXALD REMOVES TO AMERICA 33 

are remembered from the fact that she was there entertained. During 
her stay she visited and received visits from her friends, one of whom 
-was Mrs. Rutherford, afterwards Mrs. McAusHn, who, at that time, 
Hved in a house known as the "Stuart Place," north of the Presbyterian 
Church. Here she saw a painting which represented "Anne of Jura," 
assisting the prince to escape. "Turn the face of that picture to the 
wa'," she said. "Never let it see the light again. It belies the truth 
of history. Anne of Jura was na' there, and did na' help the bonnie 
prince." 

A large number of MacDonalds, principally from Skye and Raasay, 
and kinsmen of Kingsburgh, had settled northwest of Cross Creek, a 
distance of twenty miles, about a hill some six hundred feet in height, 
now called Cameron's Hill, but then known as Mount Pleasant. Here 
Kingsburgh purchased a large tract of land, the record of the deed is 
still preserved in the court-house at Fayetteville. Hard by are the 
sources of Barbaque Creek, and not many miles down the stream stood 
the old kirk, where the clansmen worshipped, and where Flora in- 
scribed her name on the roll of membership. This church, with that 
called Longstreet (where Flora also at times worshipped) appears to 
have been founded in 1758 by Rev. James Campbell, a native of Camp- 
belton, Argyleshire, Scotland. But at the time of Flora's arrival the 
churches were served by Rev. John McLeod. 

Having been persuaded by Colonel MacOueen, Allen disposed of 
his estate and removed farther west, and, in January, 1776, purchased 
of Caleb Touchstone a tract of land numbering 550 acres, then in 
x'Vnson County, but now forming a part of Richmond. The plantation 
is located eighteen miles north of Rockingham, two miles north of 
Capel's Mills, on Mountain Creek, and about five miles north of Ellerbe 
Springs. Allen named the estate Killiegrey, which contained a dwell- 
ing and out-houses, which were more pretentious than was then cus- 
tomary among Highland settlers. The outlay cost him four hundred 
and sixty pounds. The new home was situated in the heart of the 
pinery region, and in every direction the great pine forest stretched 
forth. Here the Kingsburgh family immediately established itself, and 
Flora felt assured that with her family she would spend her remaining 
days in peace and happiness. Flora and Allen, her husband, were the 



34 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

most commanding figures among all the Highlanders in North Carolina. 
Their influence was everywhere felt and acknowledged. The power 
for good was placed in their hands, and wisdom would have suggested 
that in wielding it a conservative policy should be pursued. 



CHAPTER VII. s 

Rising of the Highlanders in 1776. ^ 

The dreams of Flora MacDonald of peace, happiness, and pros- 
perity were doomed to a rude awakening. Before she was well settled 
in her new home the storm of the American Revolution burst upon her 
in all its fury. That she was partially responsible for the final disaster 
that accomplished the complete financial ruin of the family is beyond 
question ; for she was an active participant in arousing the Highlanders 
to resistance. Without any hesitation she used her powerful influence 
in forcing the insurrection of 1776. Notwithstanding this, the disaster 
would not have overtaken the family had Kingsburgh refrained from 
precipitating himself into the conflict needlessly and recklessly. His 
age and past experience should have influenced his course, and bade 
him remain a silent spectator of the conflict. With blind fatuity he 
took the wrong side in the struggle, and even then, by the exercise of 
patience he might have overcome the effects of his folly. 

The British authorities bent on the subjugation of the Thirteen 
Colonies, looked to the formidable Highland Scotch settlements along 
the Cape Fear and the A/fohawk for assistance. The frightful atrocities 
following the disaster on Drummossie Muir, and the relentless perse- 
cution of the Highland clans did not wean that hardy race from the 
merciless hand of the victor. The American Revolution found all Scot- 
land its pitiless foe. Petition after petition went up from city, town, 
and hamlet to George III., expressing intense feelings against the 
Americans, and all protesting that the respective petitioners were the 
most loyal subjects. Over seven thousand Highlanders, born in Scot- 
land, fought against Washington and his compatriots. 

The records demonstrate that the emigrants from the Highlands 
were received with open arms by the colonists and rendered every 
assistance needed. Some of the emigrants were destitute even of 
the means of procuring assistance. Even after the call to armed re- 



36 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

sistance had been obeyed, a shipload of Highlanders was stranded in 
Virginia, and every care was rendered by the colonists. 

On the breaking out of hostilities, the Highlanders became an 
object of consideration to the contending parties. They were numeri- 
cally strong, increasing in numbers, and their military qualities second 
to none. British emissaries were sent among all of them, though it 
was known that their inclination strongly favored the royal cause, and 
that side left no means untried to cement their loyalty, even to appeals 
to their religious natures. To counteract the efforts of the royalists the 
Americans were at a great disadvantage, because it was impossible for 
them to secure a Gaelic-speaking minister, clothed with authority to go 
among them. Even the resources and loyalty of Rev. James Campbell 
would be counteracted by Rev. John McLeod, because he stood nearer 
to the MacDonalds and MacLeods, the two dominant clans. His sym- 
pathies were thrown against the Americans, and his actions were of 
such a nature that it was deemed prudent to arrest him, but he was 
discharged on May 11, 1776. 

No steps were taken by the Americans to enroll the Highlanders 
into military companies. Their efforts were made to enlist the sym- 
pathies of the clansmen. On the other hand, the royal governor, Josiah 
Martin, took steps to enroll the North Carolina settlers into active 
British service. The governor was in constant communication with 
them, and, in a measure, directed their movements. Allen MacDonald 
of Kingsburgh was the recognized leader. As early as July 3, 1775, 
he went to Fort Johnson, and there concerted with Governor Mar- 
tin regarding the raising of a battalion of "good and faithful High- 
landers," fully calculating on the recently-settled MacDonalds and Mac- 
Leods. Prior communications were held between Martin and Kings- 
burgh, because the former recommended that the latter should be 
appointed major, in his communication to Lord Dartmouth, on June 30 
preceding. In the report of the same to the same, dated November 12, 
1775, the statement is made that Kingsburgh had raised a company, 
as had also his son-in-law, Alexander MacLeod. From the official rec- 
ords, it may therefore be seen that the Laird of Kingsburgh was not 
drawn into the controversy under restraint or under solicitation. How 
far his early steps in the matter were influenced by his wife, Flora, will 



RISING OF THE HIGHLANDERS IN 1776 Z7 

never be known ; but, in all probability, he took no action without her 
knowledge and consent. Whatever view we may take of their action, 
whether it be censure or praise, it must be admitted that both were gov- 
erned by their sense of right and justice. It is but fair in judging the 
motives of every one to put ourselves exactly in the position of the 
one adjudged. The sense of right, per se, is an entirely different thing. 

It is not to be presumed that the Provincial Congress of North Car- 
oHna, and other patriotic bodies, were not aroused in every particular. 
We find that the Congress, on August 23, 1775, appointed from among 
its members Archibald MacLaine, Alexander McAllister, Farquhard 
Campbell, Alexander McKay, and others, "a committee to confer with 
the gentlemen who have lately arrived from the Highlands in Scot- 
land to settle in this province, and to explain to them the nature of our 
unhappy controversy with Great Britain, and to advise and urge them 
to unite with the other inhabitants of America in defense of their 
rights which they derive from God and the Constitution." 

Governor Martin stood ready to precipitate matters and involve 
the Highlanders in a quarrel with the other inhabitants ; for in his 
letter to Lord Dartmouth, of June 30, 1775, he declares he "could 
collect immediately among the emigrants from the Highlands of 
Scotland," "three thousand effective men," and begs permission "to 
raise a battalion of a thousand Highlanders here," and "I would 
most humbly beg leave to recommend Mr. Allen AlacDonald of 
Kingsburgh to be major, and Captain Alexd. McLeod of the marines 
now on half-pay to be first captain, who, besides being men of great 
worth and good character, have most extensive influence over the High- 
landers here, a great part of which are of their own names and 
families." 

On November 12, following, the governor again writes that he can 
"assure your lordship that the Scotch Highlanders here are generally 
and almost without exception staunch to government," and that Captain 
Alexander McLeod, a gentleman from the Highlands of Scotland and 
late an officer in the marines, who has been settled in this province 
about a year and is one of the gentlemen I had the honor to recommend 
to your lordship to be appointed a captain in the battalion of High- 
landers, I proposed with his Majesty's permission to raise here, found 



38 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

his way down to me at this place about three weeks ago, and I learn 
from him that he is. as well as his father-in-law, Mr. Allen Mac- 
Donald, proposed to me for major of the intended corps, moved by my 
encouragements have each raised a company of Highlanders since 
which a Major McDonald who came here some time ago from Boston 
under the orders from General Gage to raise Highlanders to form a 
battalion* to be commanded by Lieut. Coll. Allan McLean, has made 
them proposals of being appointed captains in that corps, which they 
have accepted on the condition that his Majesty does not approve my 
proposal of raising a battalion of Highlanders and reserving to them- 
selves the choice of appointments therein in case it shall meet with his 
Majesty's approbation in support of that measure." 

The activities of the royalists during the year 1775 were so pro- 
nounced as to cause the patriots to be on the alert. For some reason 
the Highlanders, were, visited by General Lachlan Mcintosh of the 
Georgia Highlanders, who was born in Badenoch. Scotland, in 1725, 
but had been in America since the age of eleven. He used every argu- 
ment in his power to induce his countrymen in North Carolina to 
remain neutral in the conflict then impending, as it was the only safe 
and consistent course for them to take. In answer, the agents of Gov- 
ernor Martin appealed to their professions of loyalty, their love of 
their native country, that all efforts against the king had proved 
abortive, and that all who resisted the government would be dealt with 
as were their fathers and brothers after the battle of CuUoden, besides 
reminding them of their oath of allegiance. 

Against these delusive arguments General Mcintosh reminded 
them that they had no attachment for the reigning house of Hanover, 
and there was no inducement to risk anything in maintaining its au- 
thority ; that they had already suffered severely, on several occasions, 
by the arbitrary and unjust measures of the present government, and 
that they need expect nothing better in times to come. He further 
assured them that if they would remain quietly at home, he had no 
doubts that he would succeed in procuring their safety and peace. 
The appeals of Mcintosh were so forcible that all consented save a few 
military characters, some hot-headed young men, and a majority of 



*For an account of this regiment see MacLean's Scotch Highlanders in America, Chapter XIII. 



RISING OF THE HIGHLANDERS IN 1776 39 

Gans MacDonald and MacLeod. Unfortunately, directly after his 
departure the arrival of Donald McDonald and Donald McLeod, as- 
sisted by the Laird of Kingsburgh, overturned the good that had been 
reached. McDonald was sixty-five years of age, had fought at Cul- 
loden and Bunker Hill, and was sent, with McLeod, from Boston, by 
General Gage, to take command of the Highlanders in North Carolina. 
They came by way of Newbern, where they were arrested, but pre- 
tended that they were wounded at Bunker Hill, and had left the army 
with the design of settling among their friends. They arrived in June, 
1775, and immediately set out on their mission. 

The Laird of Kingsburgh early came under the suspicion of the 
Committee of Safety at Wilmington. On the very day, July 3, 1775, 
he was in consultation with Governor Martin, its chairman was di- 
rected to write to him "to know from himself respecting the reports 
that circulate of his having an intention to raise troops to support the 
arbitrary measures of the ministry against the Americans in this col- 
ony, and whether he had not made an offer of his services to Governor 
Martin for that purpose :" 

On August 21, 1775, the Provincial Congress began its session at 
Hillsboro. Cumberland County was represented by Farquhard Camp- 
bell, Thomas Rutherford, Alexander McKay, Alexander McAlister, 
and Daniel Smith. Campbellton sent Joseph Hepburn. Among the 
members of this Congress having distinctly Highland names, besides 
those already mentioned, were John Campbell and John Johnston from 
Bertie, Samuel Johnston of Chowan, Duncan Lamon of Edgecombe, 
John McNitt Alexander of Mecklenburg, Kenneth McKenzie of Mar- 
tin, Jeremiah Frazier of Tyrell, William Graham of Tryon, and Archi- 
bald Maclaine of Wilmington. One of the acts of this Congress was 
to divide the State into military districts and the appointment of field 
officers of the Minute Men. For Cumberland County, Thomas Ruther- 
ford was appointed colonel ; Alexander McAllister, lieutenant-colonel ; 
Duncan McNeill, first major; Alexander McDonald, second major. 
One company of Minute Men was to be raised. The act was passed 
on September 9. 

How many proved unfaithful to the interests at first avowed, I 
am unable to determine. Prominent among those who proved recreant 



40 - FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

to their trust we find the names of Thomas Rutherford and Farquhard 
Campbell. The latter dealt treacherously with both sides. 

During the year 1775 no overt acts were committed, although in 
the northern provinces the contest had become bloody, and the Con- 
tinental Congress had an army besieging Boston. True, military com- 
panies had been formed by both contestants, and as late as November 
and December, 1775, the two parties in Cross Creek mustered on 
opposite sides 6i the village, then returned into town and lived in great 
harmony. 

On the Cape Fear were intelligent, public-spirited, and patriotic 
men who were determined to resist all encroachments, and who became 
very active in impressing upon the people of their respective neighbor- 
hoods the duty and importance of maintaining their liberties and re- 
sisting the oppression of the English government. Among these the 
most noted were Colonels James Moore, John Ashe, Alexander Lilling- 
ton, Robert Rowan, and Thomas Robeson. 

The early intrigues by the British agents with the Scotch High- 
landers were more guessed at than known by the patriots. The early 
days of 1776 saw the masque torn from the face, and the intrigues 
reached their culmination. The war party among the Highlanders was 
greatly in the ascendant. The Americans, while at first they felt anx- 
ious, now had their feelings changed to bitterness, owing to the fact 
that they were not only precipitating themselves into a quarrel in which 
they had no special cause, but also were exhibiting ingratitude to those 
who had been their benefactors. Up to this time the Americans had 
only sought a redress of grievances, and but very few foresaw the ulti- 
mate outcome. True, the Highlanders had viewed the matter from a 
different standpoint. They failed to realize the craftiness of Governor 
Martin in compelling all who had recently arrived to take the oath of 
allegiance, which, with all the sacredness of religion, they felt to be 
binding. They had ever been taught that all promises were sacred, 
and a liar was a greater criminal than a thief. Still, it must be granted, 
they had every opportunity to learn the true status of the situation ; 
independence had not yet been proclaimed ; Washington was still in his 
trenches about Boston, and the Americans continued to petition the 
British throne to take cognizance of their grievances. 



RISING OF THE HIGHLANDERS IN 1776 41 

What the Highlanders expected to gain by their proposed actions 
would be difficult even to conjecture. They certainly failed to realize 
the condition of the country, and the insuperable difficulties to be over- 
come before they could make a junction with Sir Henry Clinton. Even 
should they assemble peaceably in Wilmington, there they would be one 
hundred miles from their homes and families, who would necessarily 
be at the mercy of their enemies, who had become bitter on account 
of their own actions. They were blinded and exhibited a want of 
ordinary foresight. There was also an exhibition of reckless indiffer- 
ence of the responsible parties to the welfare of those they had so suc- 
cessfully duped. During all the years which have elapsed since their 
ill-advised action, though treated with the utmost charity, their bravery 
applauded, even by their descendants they have been condemned for 
their rude precipitancy, besides failing to realize the changed condi- 
tion of affairs, and not resenting the injuries they had received from 
the House of Hanover that had harried their country and hanged their 
fathers on the murderous gallows-tree. 

Lieutenant Alexander McLean and Donald McLeod had been the 
trusted agents of Governor Martin to the back counties of North Car- 
olina. They had returned with flattering reports, which he was not 
slow in transmitting to Sir Llenry Clinton. Based partly on these 
reports, a vigorous campaign was determined on for 1776, the brunt 
of which was to fall upon North Carolina. The program was for Sir 
Henry Clinton, with a fleet of ships and seven corps of Irish regulars, to 
be at the mouth of the Cape Fear early in the year 1776, and there form 
a junction with the Highlanders and others to be raised from the in- 
terior. Believing that this armament would arrive in January or early 
in February, Martin made preparations for the revolt ; for his "un- 
wearied, persevering agent," Alexander McLean, brought written 
assurances from the principal persons to whom he had been directed, 
that between two and three thousand men would take the field at the 
governor's summons. Under this encouragement McLean was again 
sent into the back country with a commission dated January 10, 1776, 
authorizing Allen MacDonald, Donald MacDonald, Alexander McLeod, 
Donald McLeod, Alexander McLean, Allen Stewart, William Camp- 
bell, Alexander McDonald, and Neal McArthur, of Cumberland and 



42 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

Anson counties, besides seventeen other persons, not connected with the 
Highlanders, who resided in a belt of counties in middle Carolina, to 
raise and array all the king's loyal subjects, and to march them in a 
body to Brunswick by February 15. 

It has been argued because Allen MacDonald of Kingsburgh's 
name appears first in the list, it was designed by Governor Martin that 
he should be first in command. This conclusion is not warranted by 
the facts. Donald MacDonald was sent direct from Boston in order 
to take military command of the troops, and for several months had 
been on the ground. He came with the commission of major, and 
Martin had no authority to issue a higher commission. Besides this, 
the commission of Donald antedates that of Allen. Martin did com- 
mission Donald brigadier-general, but this was unauthorized. Said 
commission is still in Fayetteville. If Allen had any experience as a 
military commander the fact has not been recorded in history. He 
was in hiding for a while after the battle of Culloden, but this was 
on account of the arrest of old Kingsburgh, his father. 

Upon receiving his orders from Governor Martin, at once General 
MacDonald issued the following: 

By His Excellency Brigadier-General Donald McDonald, Com- 
mander of His Majesty's Forces for the time being in North Carolina: 

"a manifesto. 

Whereas, I have received information that many of His Maj- 
esty's faithful subjects have been so far overcome by apprehension of 
danger as to fly before His Majesty's Army as from the most inveterate 
enemy; to remove which, as far as lies in my power, I have thought it 
proper to publish this Manifesto, declaring that I shall take the proper 
steps to prevent any injury being done, either to the person or proper- 
ties of His Majesty's subjects ; and I do further declare it to be my 
determined resolution, that no violence shall be used to women and 
children, as viewing such outrages to be inconsistent with humanity, 
and as tending in their consequences to sully the arms of Britons and 
soldiers. 

I, therefore, in His Majesty's name, generally invite every well- 
wisher to that form of government under which they have so happily 
lived, and which, if justly considered, ought to be esteemed the best 
birthright of Britons and Americans, to repair to His Majesty's Royal 
Standard, erected at Cross Creek, where they will meet with every pos- \ 



RISING OF THE HIGHLANDERS IN 1776 43 

sible civility, 4nd be ranked in the list of friends and fellow-soldiers, 
engaged in the best and most glorious of all causes, supporting Ijhe 
rights and constitution of their country. Those, therefore, who have 
been under the unhappy necessity of submitting to the mandates of 
Congress and committees — those lawless, usurped, and arbitrary tribu- 
nals — will have an opportunity (by joining the King's Army), to re- 
store peace and tranquility to this distracted land — to open again the 
glorious streams of commerce — to partake of the blessings of insep- 
arable from a. regular administration of justice, and be again reinstated 
in the favora|)le opinion of their Sovereign. 

Donald McDonald. 

By His Excellency's command. 

Kenn McDonald, P.S. 

On February 5, after a conference with the principal leaders. Gen- 
eral MacDonald issued another manifesto in which he declares it to 
be his "intention that no violation whatever shall be offered to women, 
children, or private property to sully the arms of Britons or freemen 
employed in the glorious and righteous cause of rescuing' and delivering 
this country from the usurpation of rebellion, and that no cruelty 
whatever be offered against the laws of humanity, but what resistance 
shall make necessary ; and that whatever provisions and other neces- 
saries be taken for the troops shall be paid for immediately ; and in 
case any person, or persons, shall offer the least violence to the families 
of such as will join the Royal Standard, such person or persons may 
depend that retaliation will be made ; the horror of such proceedings, 
it is hoped, will be avoided by all true Christians." 

Manifestos being the order of the day, Thomas Rutherford, erst- 
while patriot, deriving his commission from the Provincial Congress, 
though having alienated himself, but signing himself colonel, also issued 
one in which he declared that this is "to command, enjoin, beseech, and 
require all His Majesty's faithful subjects within the County of Cum- 
berland to repair to the King's Royal Standard, at Cross Creek, on or 
before the sixteenth, present, in order to join the King's army; other- 
wise, they must expect to fall under the melancholy consequences of 
a declared rebellion, and expose themselves to the just resentment of 
an injured, though gracious Sovereign." 

On February 1, General MacDonald erected the royal standard at 



44 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

Cross Creek, in the public square, and in order to cause the High- 
landers to respond with alacrity, various methods were employed that 
the military spirit might be freely inculcated. 

The call came like an emergency, summoning the disaffected to 
the standard of the king. To many of the Highlanders it was a slogan, 
a veritable firey cross hurled over the sand hills and the pine forests. 
But there were others who still needed awakening and appeared to 
realize that danger lurked in the distance. Those holding the minor 
commissions in the military service found it necessary to become ex- 
ceedingly active and to use every means and exertion in their power. 
Eft"orts were not only made among the Highlanders, but also among 
the Regulators, who generally sympathized with the British notwith- 
standing their terrible defeat at the battle of Alamance on May 16, 1771. 
The rendezvous of the latter was at Cross Hill, less than two miles 
from the present town of Carthage, where about five hundred as- 
sembled, some of whom, however, were Highlanders. Owing to the 
fact that the Highland army moved out of Cross Creek before the 
time appointed. Colonel William Fields failed to join the command. 
He was on his way with his regiment, but learning of the defeat at 
j\Ioore's Creek, returned home. 

At Cross Hill the military array was met by General MacDonald, 
who formally erected the king's standard, and had' the governor's proc- 
lamation read along with the military commissions which had been 
given. An organization was made in due form, so far as was' prac- 
ticable, but the claims for office v>"ere too great to be satisfied. 

The Scotch were an entirely different people from the Regulators. 
From time immemorial they had been warlike. If not engaged in con- 
tending against a common enemy, they had their training in the conflict 
of clan against clan. No land of the same territorial lim.its and the 
same population abounds more in legendaiy, traditionary, and histori- 
cal narratives of hard-fought battles, personal encounters, and perilous 
adventures. Fortunately the accounts have been preserved by their 
bards, a noted class even from the days of Ossian down to the present 
hour. During the long nights of winter, in Scotland, tlie tales were 
rehearsed in various huts where the people would assemble. Then, 
again, the sound of the pibroch would at any time arouse the martial 



RISING OF THE HIGHLANDERS IN 1776 45 

spirit of the people, from the mere lad to the man of great aq,e ; for old 
and young were upon the field of carnage. 

At the opening of the campaign of 1776, most of the Highlanders 
had reached the age of fifty or more, and had imbibed military spirit 
from infancy, cherished in youth, and exhibited the same in manhood. 
In America all the legends and tales were taught the youth, just the 
same as though they were living on the ancient clan lands of Scotland. 
The sound of the pibroch was now heard in the pine forests of 
America summoning the clansmen to arms. Nightly balls were inaugu- 
rated that the people might assemble and be properly enthused. The 
war spirit of Flora MacDonald was stirred within her. Night after 
night she attended these gatherings ; addressed the men in their native 
Gaelic, and urged them to enter the king's army. During the day, on 
horseback, with her husband, she went from house to house and used 
her persuasive powers to excite the slow, the indifferent, and doubtful 
to action. To her personal appeals the success of the gathering was 
largely due. 

According to the American Historical Review of 1872, the follow- 
ing letter, written by Flora MacDonald, was preserved in Fayetteville 
in 1852: 

February 1, 1776. 
Dear Maggie: Allan leaves tomorrow to join Donald's standard 
at Cross Creek, and I shall be alone wi' my three bairns. Canna ye 
come and stay wi' me awhile? There are troublous times ahead I 
ween. God will keep the right. I hope all our ain are in the right, 
prays your good friend, Flory McDonald. 

Other influences of a far different nature were at work. Caruthers, 
in his Revolutionary Incidents, gives an example, in the case of Hugh 
MacDonald, who declared that General MacDonald and Donald Mac- 
Leod persuaded the Scotch "to step forward and draw their broad 
swords, as their forefathers had often done, in defense of their king, 
who would give them double wages and double honors." "These gen- 
tlemen, notwithstanding their influence among the ignorant Scotch, 
were instigated by selfish and speculative motives ; and not only they, 
but their subaltern officers also. I well recollect, though only entering 
on my fourteenth year, that John Martin, who called himself a captain 



46 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

in the contemplated regiment, came to the home of my father, who 
then hved near the place now known by the name of Carthage, in 
Moore County ; and. after causing him to enlist, told him that he must 
take me along with him. My father said that I would be of no service 
in the army as a soldier, and as his wife was a sickly woman and the 
children all weakly, I would be useful at home to the family. 'Never 
mind your family,' was his reply, 'he zvill count one to procure me a 
commission, and he will draw you a soldier's pay.' ]\Iy father told him 
that would be unjust. 'If you do not take him with you, I will see 
you hanged when we see the king,' was his reply to that ; and my father 
was afraid of his threats, knowing that when offended he was not too 
strict in points of honor. Five days after this they were embodied and 
marched to Cross Creek."' 

At length the time arrived for the gathering at Cross Creek. Then 
the Highlanders were seen coming from near and from far, from the 
wide plantations on the river bottoms, and from the rude cabins in 
the depths of the lonely pine forests, with the claymore at their side, 
in tartan garments and feathered bonnet, and keeping step to the shrill 
music of the bag-pipe. There came, first of all, Clan MacDonald, with 
Clan MacLeod near at hand, with lesser numbers of Clan MacKenzie, 
Clan MacRae, Clan MacLean, Clan MacKay, Clan MacLachlan, and 
still others. There were also about two hundred Regulators. As may 
be inferred, all who were capable of bearing arms did not respond, 
because some would not engage in a cause where their traditions and 
affections had no part, some of whom hid in the swamps and others in 
the forest. 

The number assembled, and which remained with the army, has 
been variously estimated, the figures running from fifteen hundred to 
three thousand. Stedman, an officer under Cornwallis, in his History 
of the American War, Vol. L, page 182, states "the army of the loyal- 
ists consisted of about eighteen hundred men," which I am inclined to 
think is about correct, though Edmund Burke states that after his 
defeat General MacDonald admitted he had three thousand. 

There appears to be pretty strong evidence that in the host there 
was division and even conflicting claims and various opinions almost 
from the commencement of the enterprise to the final overthrow. 



RISING OF THE HIGHLANDERS IN 1776 47 

While at Cross Creek it was found very difficult to organize and ar- 
range the companies, regiments, and precedence of rank so as to give 
general satisfaction and secure harmonious cooperation. Those who 
had been militia officers expected to hold the same rank in the army ; 
and, on this principle there were too many officers for the requisite 
complement of men. The officers, and others who had lately arrived 
from Scotland, were called "new comers," and "new Scotch," and 
looked upon with jealousy by the rest. Those who had been born in 
this country or had been long residents were unwilling to have the 
"new comers" promoted over them. General AlacDonald was forced 
to exercise all his wisdom and patience in tracing back their family 
standing and inquiring into their respective qualifications before mak- 
ing a decision. To give entire satisfaction was an impossible task. 
Some were so highly ofif ended, at what they considered an injustice, 
and others failing to see such necessary discipline as would be con- 
ducive to success, that they withdrew and soon after joined the pro- 
vincials. Nor was this the only disturbing element, for it had been 
given out that the governor was at Campbelton with a thousand British 
regulars to receive them, and this report had accelerated their move- 
ments. On approaching their encampment they saw the statement was 
without foundation, and large numbers turned their faces homeward. 
Having thus been deceived, the Regulators lost confidence in all other 
representations made by their leaders, and in consequence hundreds 
retired. 

Amidst the dissensions and discouragements. Flora MacDonald 
arose equal to the emergency, and threw the weight of her character, 
influence, and oratory into the scale. On the public square, near the 
royal standard, in Gaelic, she made a powerful address, with all her 
power, exhibiting her genius she dwelt at length upon the loyalty 
of the Scotch, their bravery, and the sacrifices her people had made. 
She urged them to duty, and was successful in exciting all to a high 
military pitch. When she had concluded, the piper asked her what 
tune he should play. Like a flash she replied, "Give them leather 
breeches," which was probably suggested by the Scots wearing buck- 
skin breeches, rolled up at the bottoms. 

The movements of the Highlanders and Regulators were carefully 



48 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

watched by the patriots, though much had been done in-»great secrecy ; 
but the passing of armed men could not well be effectually concealed. 

Cross Creek had been greatly disturbed for months. In the midst 
of the loyalists there were a few sterling patriots. Robert Rowan, in 
the early stages of the movement, had formed an independent company, 
and determined to find out the action of the community. He was thus 
early prepared to give notice of what was in motion. 

When the hosts began to move to their standards, swift messengers 
were immediately despatched to give warning to the patriot leaders. 
At Salisbury the district Committee of Safety met on February 6 and 
gave orders to the county committees to embody the militia and minute 
men and send them forward. Three days later the Tryon committee 
directed that each captain should detail one-third of the effective men 
in his district and march to suppress the insurrection.' Everywhere the 
country was alarmed and thoroughly aroused. At the west, the forces 
were collected at Charlotte, Salisbury, and Hillsboro. On the tenth 
the committee at New Bern directed Colonel Richard Caswell to march 
immediately, and the colonels of Dobbs, Johnston, Pitt, and Craven 
counties were ordered to join Caswell with their troops. The patriot 
forces in Mecklenberg, Rowan, Granville, Bute, Surry, Guilford, 
Orange, and Chatham were hurried to the scene of action. 

A messenger reached Wilmington on the ninth. Colonel James 
Moore at once issued orders to prepare to march against the insurgents. 
For eighty hours there was severe, unremitting labor in making prep- 
arations. Colonel Moore moved toward Cross Creek, being joined 
en route by the Bladen militia. Colonel Alexander Lillington and Col- 
onel John Ashe were soon in the field. Nearly nine thousand men 
were in motion, and all the rest were ready to turn out at a moment's 
notice. It was determined to crush out the rebellion without delay. 

The loyalists of Surry were speedily dispersed. In Guilford, Col- 
onel James Martin assembled the patriots at the "Cross Roads," but 
the loyalists passed on. A company of which Samuel Devinny, one of 
the former Regulators, was the head, being opposed by Captain Dent, 
killed him. It thus appears that Captain Dent was the first in North 
Carolina to fall in the contest. 

The rising of the Highlanders at the time appointed was ill- 



RISING OF THE HIGHLANDERS IN 1776 49 

advised, and showed a want of judgment on the part of Governor 
Martin. The object of marching the Highlanders to Wilmington was 
to act in conjunction with a British fleet. At the very moment of the 
assembling of the Hig-hlanders the fleet was still in Cork, Ireland, and 
remained there until February 12, and did not arrive at the Cape Fear 
until May 3. Even if the Highland army, under the circumstances, 
had reached Wilmington, it would have fared more disastrously than 
its defeat at the Widow Moore's Creek Bridge. 

Deserted by the Regulators, and the Americans swarming around 
him, General MacDonald found it to be necessary to take his depart- 
ure before the time appointed. Stedman, in his History of the Amer- 
ican War, has pointed out that MacDonald had decided to avoid all 
conflict, and to gain the sea coast with the least possible cost. That 
he did not intend to act offensively is proved from the fact that at 
Rockfish the Americans occupied an unsoldierly position and one that 
would provoke an attack. On their left was a morass with a deep 
swamp, the northwest of the river on the right, and the deep creek of 
the Rockfish to the rear — all of which invited annihilation. This po- 
sition must have been known to many in MacDonald's army. Then, 
again, the original position of the Am.ericans at Moore's Creek Bridge 
was almost equally as dangerous, and if MacDonald had charged on 
his arrival there, victory would have been easily won. Fortunately, 
however, the insecurity of the position did not escape the vigilance of 
Colonel Caswell, and as soon as night came he retreated over the bridge. 
The Highland army at Cross Creek was neither prepared for battle 
nor for the march, despite all the exertions General MacDonald had 
put forth. The armament was as good as could be desired under the 
circumstances and did not lack in baggage and magazine wagons. 

On February 18, the Highland army took up its line of march for 
Wilmington, and as the regiments filed out of Cross Creek, Flora Mac- 
Donald reviewed them from under an oak tree, still standing on Cool 
Spring Street. Then mounting her snow-white charger, she rode up 
and down the marching columns, and animated them in the most 
cheerful manner. She had staked much on that army. There was her 
husband, Allen, with the rank of major; her son, Alexander, a captain, 
and her son-in-law, Alexander MacLeod, a colonel. The soldiers were 



50 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

in high glee, and as they passed along, with drums beating, pipes play- 
ing, and flags flying, they sang their old Scotch songs and rehearsed 
the stories of their native land. 

South of Cross Creek is a small stream called Rockfish, which 
flows into Cape Fear River. Two roads lead from Cross Creek to Wil- 
mington, one called the Brunswick road, the other the Negro Head 
Point Road. The Brunswick Road crosses Rockfish Creek, which was 
selected by General MacDonald for his route to Wilmington. After 
marching four miles. General MacDonald went into camp, on account 
of the American forces in his front. 

Flora MacDonald continued with the army until it reached the 
brow of Haymount, near the site of the old United States Arsenal, 
where it encamped for one night. In the morning when the army took 
up the line of march midst banners streaming in the breeze and 
martial music floating in the air. Flora took her departure. It was with 
great difficulty that her husband obtained her consent to return, reason- 
ing that his life was enough to put in jeopardy. Having consented, 
she embraced her husband, her eyes dimmed with tears, she uttered a 
fervent prayer for his safety and speedy return to Killiegrey ; she 
mounted her snow-white horse, rode along the columns of the army, 
encouraging the men, then retraced, and was soon in Cross Creek, 
accompanied by Malcolm MacKay, aged sixteen. The first night she 
spent with Mrs. MacKay, Malcolm's mother, near Longstreet. From 
there she went to Killiegrey, in Anson County, where she remained 
until the estate was confiscated by the Americans, when she removed 
to a plantation on Little River belonging to Kenneth Black. This con- 
tinued to be her residence until she left America. She made frequent 
visits to Cross Creek until her final removal. 

General James Moore, anticipating the movements of the High- 
land army, with great celerity moved up the Cape Fear, and took pos- 
session of Rockfish bridge, on the fifteenth, and then held the pass and 
fortified his camp. There he was immediately joined by Robert Rowan 
with sixty men from Cross Creek, and later by Lillington, Ashe, and 
Kenan with the Duplin militia, increasing the whole number to fifteen 
hundred. In the meanwhile Colonel Thackston and Colonel Alexander 



RISING OF THE HIGHLANDERS IN 1776 51 

Martin were rapidly approaching from the west with still larger re- 
enforcements. 

On the nineteenth the royalists were paraded w'ith a view to assail 
General Moore on the following night. A bare suspicion that such 
a prospect was contemplated was a sufficient cause for some of Col- 
ton's men to run off with their arms. This condition of affairs alarmed 
General MacDonald. However, the same day he sent General Moore 
the following: 

Headquarters. February 19, 1776. 

Sir : I herewith send the bearer. Donald Morrison, by advice of 
the Commissioners appointed by his Excellency, Josiah Martin, and in 
behalf of the army now under my command, to propose terms to you 
as friends and countrymen. I must suppose you unacquainted with 
the Governor's Proclamation, commanding all his Majesty's loyal sub- 
jects to repair to the King's royal standard, else I should have imagined 
you would, ere this, have joined the King's army, now engaged in his 
Majesty's service. I have therefore thought it proper to intimate to 
you, that, in case you do not, by twelve o'clock to-morrow, join the 
Royal standard, I must consider you as enemies, and take the necessary 
steps for the support of legal authority. 

I beg leave to remind you of his Majesty's speech to his Parlia- 
ment, wherein he offers to receive the misled with tenderness and 
mercy, from motives of humanity. I again beg of you to accept the 
proferred clemency. I make no doubt but you will show the gentle- 
man sent on this message every possible civility ; and you may depend 
in return, that all your officers and men which may fall into our hands 
shall be treated with an equal degree of respect. 

I have the honor to be, in behalf of the army, sir, your most obedient, 
humble servant, Donald McDonald. 

To the Commanding Officer at Rockfish. 

P. S. His Excellency's Proclamation is herewith enclosed. 

Knowing that Colonel Martin and Colonel Thackston were nearing 
the neighborhood, and wishing to gain time. General Moore thus re- 
plied to the missive : 

Camp at Rockfish, February 19, 1776. 

Sir : Yours of this day I have received ; in answer to which, I 

must inform you, that the terms which you are pleased to say, in behalf 

of the army under your command, are offered to us as friends and 

countrymen, are such as neither my duty nor inclination will permit 



52 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

me to accept, and which I must presume you too much of an officer to 
expect of me. You were very right when you supposed me unac- 
quainted with the Governor's Proclamation ; but as the terms therein 
proposed are such as I hold incompatible with the freedom of Amer- 
icans, it can be no rule of conduct for me. However, should I not hear 
further from you before twelve o'clock to-morrow, by which time I 
shall have an opportunity of consulting my officers here, and perhaps. 
Colonel Martin, who is in the neighborhood of Cross Creek, you may 
expect a more particular answer ; meantime, you may be assured that 
the feelings of humanity will induce me to show that civility to such 
of you as may fall into our hands, as I am desirous should be observed 
towards those of ours who may be unfortunate enough to fall into 
yours. 

I am, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant, 

James Moore. 

On the succeeding day General Moore sent the following to Gen- 
eral MacDonald : 

Camp at Rockfish, February 20, 1776. 

Sir : Agreeable to my promise of yesterday, I have consulted 
the officers under my command, respecting your letter, and am happy 
in finding them unanimous in opinion with me. We consider ourselves 
engaged in a cause the most glorious and honorable in the world, the 
defense of the liberties of mankind, in support of which, we are de- 
termined to hazard everything dear and valuable ; and in tenderness 
to the deluded people under your command, permit me, sir, through 
you, to inform them, before it is too late, of the dangerous and de- 
structive precipice on which they stand, and to remind them of the 
ungrateful return they are about to make for their favorable reception 
in this country. If this is not sufficient to recall them to the duty which 
they owe to themselves and their posterity, inform them that they 
are engaged in a cause in which they cannot succeed, as not only the 
whole force of this country, but that of our neighboring provinces, is 
exerting, and now actually in motion to suppress them, and which must 
end in their utter destruction. Desirous, however, of avoiding the 
effusion of human blood, I have thought proper to send you a copy of 
the test recommended by the Continental Congress, which, if they will 
yet subscribe and lay down their arms, by twelve o'clock to-morrow, 
we are willing to receive them as friends and countrymen. Should this 
oft'er be rejected, I shall consider them as enemies to the constitutional 
liberties of America, and treat them accordingly. 

I cannot conclude without reminding you, sir, of the oath which 



RISING OF THE HIGHLANDERS IN 1776 53 

you and some of your officers took at New Berne, on your arrival in 
this country, which I imagine you will find difficult to reconcile to your 
present conduct. I have no doubt that the bearer. Captain James Wal- 
ker, will be treated with proper civiHty and respect in your camp, 
I am, sir, your most obedient and humble servant, 

J. Moore. 

General MacDonald took occasion to answer the communication 
of General Moore in the following language : 

Headquarters, February 20, 1776. 

Sir : I received your favor by Captain James Walker, and ob- 
served your declared sentiments of revolt, hostility, and rebellion to 
the King, and to what I understand to be the constitution of this 
country. If I am mistaken, further consequences must determine ; but 
while I continue in my present sentiment, I shall consider myself 
embarked in a cause which must, in its consequences, extricate this 
country from anarchy and licentiousness. I cannot conceive that the 
Scots emigrants, to whom I imagine you allude, can be vmder greater 
obligations to this country than to that of England, under whose 
gracious and merciful government they alone could have been enabled 
to visit this western region ; and I trust, sir, it is in the womb of time 
to say, that they are not that deluded and ungrateful people which 
you would represent them to be. As a soldier in his Majesty's service, 
I must inform you, if you are yet to learn, that it is miy duty to con- 
quer, if I cannot reclaim, all those who may be hardy enough to take 
up arms against the best of Masters, as of Kings. 

I have the honor to be, in behalf of the army under my command, 
sir, your most obedient servant. 

To James Moore, Esq. Donald McDonald. 

General MacDonald was fully aware that he could not put his 
threat into execution, for he had been informed that the minute-men 
were gathering in swarms around him; that Colonel Caswell at the 
head of the minute-men of Newbern, nearly eight hundred strong, were 
marching through Duplin County to effect a junction with General 
Moore, and that his communications with the seacoast had been cut 
off. Realizing the extremity of his danger, he resolved to avoid an 
engagement, and leave the army at Rockfish in his rear, and by celerity 
of movements, and crossing rivers at unexpected places, to disengage 
himself from the larger bodies and fall upon the command of Colonel 
Caswell. Before marching he exhorted his men to fidelity, expressed 



54 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

bitter scorn for the "base cravens who had deserted the night before,'' 
and concluded by saying, "If any amongst you are so faint-hearted as 
not to serve with the resolution of conquering or dying, this is the time 
to declare themselves." The speech was answered by a general huzza 
for the king, but from Cotton's corps of Regulators, two companies 
marched off the field and returned to their homes. The army de- 
camped at midnight, retraced their steps and crossed the river at 
Campbelton. About daylight, on the morning of the twenty-first, the 
army, with the baggage having been landed on the north side, de- 
stroyed or sunk the boats, to prevent the pursuit of the enemy, and 
then resumed its march, sending a party fifteen miles in advance to 
secure the bridge over South River from Bladen into Hanover, pushing 
with rapid pace over swollen streams, rough hills, and deep morasses, 
hotly pursued by General Moore. 

Perceiving the purpose of the enemy. General Moore instantly 
put in execution every precaution. He sent off an express to Colonel 
Caswell directing him to return and take possession of Corbett's Ferry 
over Black River, for the purpose of harassing the enemy, and imped- 
ing its progress. Thackston and Martin were to hold possession of 
Cross Creek and prevent a retreat in that direction, and Lillington and 
Ashe were ordered to make a forced march, and, if possible, reinforce 
Colonel Caswell, and if that could not be done, then to take possession 
of the Widow Moore's Creek Bridge, on the same road but nearer Wil- 
mington. Apprehending that the enemy might attempt to pass through 
Duplin, pursuing a route to the eastward, the bridges of that county 
were in part destroyed. Colonel Cray holding back Salter's company 
for that purpose, and all the inhabitants held themselves ready to de- 
molish the remainder if necessary to obstruct the march of the loyalists. 
At Wilmington. Colonel Purviance prepared to arrest the boats should 
the enemy descend the river, and with this intent threw a boom across 
the stream at Mount Misery, four miles above the town, and there 
stationed one hundred and twenty men, while another detachment held 
the pass at Heron's Bridge, ten miles out on the northeast branch. 

Having dispatched his orders, General Moore, with the remainder 
of his army, hastened to Elizabethtown, hoping to strike MacDonald 
on his route to Corbett's Ferrv, or else to fall on his rear and surround 



RISING OF THE HIGHLANDERS IN 1776 55 

him at the river before he could cross. On the twenty-fourth, Moore 
crossed the Cape Fear; but having learned that Colonel Caswell was 
almost entirely out of provisions, he was compelled to wait there until 
the evening of the next day for a supply. Here he received a dispatch 
from Colonel Caswell informing him that the enemy had raised a flat, 
which had been sunk, about five miles above him, and had made a 
bridge by which the whole army had passed over. On receiving this 
intelligence, General Moore moved down the river in boats to DoUer- 
son's Landing, about sixty miles, and thence to Moore's Creek, ten 
miles from the landing. On the twenty-sixth he arrived at Dollerson's 
in the afternoon. 

Caswell, realizing the purpose of the enemy, changed his own 
course in order to intercept the march. On the twenty-third, General 
MacDonald thought to outwit him, and arraying the Highlanders in 
order of battle, with eighty able-bodied men, armed with broadswords, 
forming the center of the army ; but Caswell, being posted at Corbett's 
P'erry, could not be reached for want of boats. Again the royalists 
were in extreme danger, but at a point six miles higher up the Black 
River they succeeded in crossing in a broad, shallow boat, while Mac- 
Lean and Fraser were left with a few men, and a drum and fife, to 
amuse Caswell. 

Lillington, on the twenty-fifth, took possession of Widow Moore's 
Creek Bridge ; and on the next day Caswell reached the west side, 
threw up a slight embankment, and destroyed a part of the bridge. 
A royalist, who had been sent into his camp under pretext of summon- 
ing him to return to his allegiance, brought back the information that 
Caswell had halted on the same side of the river as themselves, and 
could be assaulted to advantage. Caswell was both a good woodsman 
and a man of superior ability, and believing that he had misled the 
enemy, marched his column to the east side of the stream, removed the 
planks from the bridge, greased the sleepers with soft soap and tallow, 
and then placed his men behind trees and such embankments as could 
be thrown up during the night. The force amounted to a thousand 
men, consisting of the Newbern minute-men, the militia of Craven, 
Dobbs, Johnston, and Wake counties, besides the detachment under 
Lillington. The men of the Neuse region, their ofiicers wearing silver 



56 



FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 



crescents upon their hats, inscribed with the words, "Liberty or Death," 
were in front. The situation of the Highlanders was again perilous, for 
while facing this army, Aloore, with his regulars, v,-as close upon their 
rear. 













*C*orV>CvXs 






MAP ^^A^-v:^'''" 

FROM '^ \ \ i .^'^ / ^ 

\ TO \ " 

""nMOORE'S CREETK BRfDOE \ 



\ 



(.From North Carolina Day, 1905) 



CHAPTER VIII. 
Battle of Widow Moore's Creek Bridge. 

The Highland army was in a position where it could neither ad- 
vance nor retreat. General MacDonald had proved himself fertile in 
resources ; but it was now doomed to be deprived of his guiding hand, 
and those left to direct the army were not equal to the emergencies. 
The general was taken very ill and confined to his bed, and had been 
left at a house some eight miles from the scene of action, and this 
calarnity was the precursor of a still heavier one about to fall like a 
thunderbolt. The Highlanders had been out-maneuvered, and the 
patriots had gained an advantageous position, forcing the enemy either 
to fight or else to take a course which would bring on them the impu- 
tation of cowardice and disconcert their plans. 

On the evening before the battle a council of war was held, pre- 
sumably in the presence of General MacDonald, the main object of 
which was to decide the question whether they should force their way 
through their adversaries, or determine some other movement. All the 
old and experienced officers, among whom was Colonel Donald Mac- 
Leod, then in command, both by priority of rank and common consent, 
were strongly opposed to battle, contending that the difficulty and 
danger of forcing their way in the face of an enemy, two-thirds their 
number, so strongly posted, defended by their entrenchments, mounted 
with two pieces of artillery and protected in front by a stream that was 
impassable except by a narrow bridge, which could be raked by their 
guns, were too great to be attempted. Besides, on good authority, it 
had been learned that by making a detour of only a few miles, the 
stream could be crossed where they could fight on equal grounds. 
These considerations, so sound and appealing to military science, were 
sneered at by others, and especially the young, self-conceited, and hot- 
headed MacLean, adventurous, spirited, self-willed, emphatically de- 
manded courageous action. "Well," exclaimed MacLeod, as he closed 
the council, "at dawn to-morrow we will prove who is the coward." 

57 • 



58 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

Colonel AlacLeod determined upon an early attack, and at one 
o'clock on the morning of the twenty-seventh, began his march, but 
owing to the time lost in passing an intervening morass, it was within an 
hour of daylight when they reached the west bank of the creek. Seventy 
men were selected, of the stoutest and most resolute in the army, and 
formed into a company under the command of Captain John Campbell, 
who were to have the post of greatest danger. They were to rush 
over the bridge in front of the army and storm the works, sword in 
hand. The fate of this company was the most important, for on it 
depended the issue of battle. 

The Highlanders advanced through the open pine woods on a 
slope of descending ground, their officers well dressed in gay regi- 
mentals, banners and plumes waving in the breeze, and all marching 
in good order but with quick step to the sound of their pibrochs, while 
the thrilling notes of the bugle were heard in the distance, making a 
formidable appearance. Without resistance they entered the ground ; 
but seeing Caswell's forces on the opposite bank, they reduced their 
columns and formed the line of battle in the woods. Their rallying 
cry was "King George and broadswords," and the signal of attack 
was three cheers, the drum to beat, and the pipes to play. While it 
was still dark MacLeod, accompanied by Captain John Campbell on his 
right, with a party of about forty of the swordsmen, advanced and 
at the bridge was challenged by one of the sentinels asking, "Who goes 
there?" He answered, "A friend." "A friend of whom?" "To the 
king." Upon this the sentinels bowed their faces down to the ground. 
MacLeod, thinking they might be some of his own command who had 
crossed the bridge, challenged them in Gaelic, but receiving no reply, 
fired his own piece, and ordered his party to fire also. All that re- 
mained of the bridge were the two pine sleepers, stripped of their bark 
and well greased. 

The night before the battle, Colonel Caswell received information 
of the contemplated attack. This put him on his guard, and he made 
his arrangements accordingly. Lillington's men were drawn up across 
the peninsula, and lay on their arms all night. One of the pieces of 
artillery, known among the soldiers as "Mother Covington," a special 
favorite of the men, was placed in a position to command the bridge. 



BATTLE OF WIDOW MOORE's CREEK BRIDGE 59 

Colonel MacLeod and Captain Campbell rushed upon the sleepers 
of the bridge and succeeded in getting over. The Highlanders that 
followed had difficulty in keeping on the sleepers, some supporting 
themselves by thrusting their swords into the logs, and others falling 
into the muddy stream below. Lillington gave the command to fire, 
and the musketry swept the bridge. At last "Mother Covington" let 
go, with terrible effect. MacLeod was mortally wounded, but was 
seen to rise repeatedly from the ground, waving his sword and en- 
couraging his men to come on, until twenty-six balls had penetrated 
his body. Campbell was shot dead, and at the same moment a party 
of militia under Lieutenant Ezekiel Slocum, who had forded the creek 
and penetrated a swamp on its western bank, fell suddenly upon the 
rear of the royalists. The loss of their leader, and the unexpected 
attack upon the rear, threw them into confusion, when all broke and 
fied. 

There were probably twenty who got over the bridge, but all were 
killed or wounded, all of whom belonged to Campbell's company. 
Among them were Duncan MacRae, William Stewart, Kenneth Mur- 
chison, Laughlin Bethune, Murdoch MacRae, Alexander Campbell, 
and John MacArthur, of whom the three last were taken to Wilming- 
ton the next morning, and all died of their wounds within a week. 
There was among them a man from Cross Creek, by the name of 
Campbell, called in Gaelic "Far-earst," who by a desperate kind of 
valor, rushed over the bridge, but had hardly set his foot on the ground 
when his body was literally riddled by the rifle balls and he fell dead 
on the spot. MacLean survived his wound and in after life became 
sedate and saddened over the fate of MacLeod. 

The Highlanders lost about seventy killed and wounded, while the 
patriots had none killed and two wounded, one of whom recovered. 
The victory was complete, decisive, and lasting, for the power of the 
Highlanders was completely broken. There fell into the hands of the 
Americans eight hundred and fifty prisoners, fifteen hundred rifles, all 
of them excellent pieces, three hundred and fifty guns and shot-bags, 
two hundred and fifty swords and dirks, two medicine chests, fresh from 
England, one of which was valued at £300 sterling, thirteen wagons 
with horses, which proved of great value to the slender supplies of 



60 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

the provincial forces. Besides all this, there was found secreted in a 
stable at Cross Creek, a box of guineas amounting to $75,000. 

Some of the Highlanders escaped from the field of carnage by 
breaking down their wagons and riding away, three upon a horse. 
Many of those taken confessed they were forced and persuaded against 
their inclinations into the service. All the soldiers taken were dis- 
armed and ordered to return to their homes immediately. 

The American officers fully realized the importance of capturing 
all the leaders, for then the Highlanders would remain inactive in their 
homes. Hence, various companies were sent out to scour the country 
and apprehend every one who held rank in the army. On the follow- 
ing day General Donald MacDonald was taken prisoner. He was sit- 
ting on a stump and as his captors came up, he waved his commission, 
perhaps for the reason of being identified and humanely treated. There 
is a tradition that some of his soldiers surrounded his tent, and in 
desperation fought in his defense until driven off. Nearly all the chief 
men were taken the same day, including Allen MacDonald of Kings- 
burgh, and his son, Alexander. 

It is possible that this account may fall to some who are descended 
from one or more of the prisoners, and, to others related to the victors ; 
hence the completeness of this victory may be seen by giving a partial 
list of the prisoners, taken from a report of the committee of the Pro- 
vincial Congress, April 20 and May 10, on the guilt of the Highland 
and Regulator officers then confined in the jail of Halifax. The pris- 
oners were divided into four classes, namely : 

First. Prisoners who had served in Congress. 

Second. Prisoners who had signed Tests or Associations. 

Third. Prisoners who had been in arms without such circum- 
stances. 

Fourth. Prisoners under suspicious circumstances. 

The Highlanders coming under these various designations are 
given in the following order : 

Farquhard Campbell, Cumberland county. 

Alexander McKay, capt. of thirty-eight men, Cumberland county. 

Alexander MacDonald (Condrach), Major of a regiment. 

Alexander Morrison, Captain of a company of thirty-five men. 



BATTLE OF WIDOW MOORE's CREEK BRIDGE 61 

Alexander McDonald, son of Kingsboro'jgh, a volunteer, Anson 
county. 

James McDonald, Captain of a company of twenty-five men. 

Alexander McLeod, Captain of a company of thirty-two men. 

John MacDonald, Captain of a company of forty men. 

Alexander McLeod, Captain of a company of sixteen men. 

Murdoch McAskell, Captain of a company of thirty-four men. 

Alexander McLeod, Captain of a company of sixteen men. 

Angus McDonald, Captain of a company of thirty men. 

Neill McArthur, Freeholder of Cross Creek, Captain of a com- 
pany of fifty-five men. 

Francis Frazier, Adjutant to General McDonald's Army. 

John McLeod, of Cumberland county, Captain of a company of 
thirty-five men. 

John McKinzie, of Cumberland county. Captain of a company of 
forty-three men. 

Kennith MacDonald, aid-de-camp to General MacDonald. 

Murdoch McLeod, of Anson county. Surgeon to General Mac- 
Donald's Army. 

Donald McLeod, of Anson county, lieutenant in Captain Morri- 
son's company. 

Norman McLeod, of Anson county, ensign in James McDon- 
ald's company. 

John McLeod, of Anson county, lieutenant in James McDon- 
ald's company. 

Laughlin MacKinnon, freeholder in Cumberland county, Lieu- 
tenant in Col. Rutherford's corps. 

James Munroe, freeholder in Cumberland county, Lieutenant in 
Captain McRey's company. 

Donald Morrison, Ensign to Captain Morrison's company. 

John McLeod, Ensign to Capt. Morrison's company. 

Archibald McEachern, Bladen county. Lieutenant to Capt. Mc- 
Arthur's company. 

Rory McKinnon, freeholder, Anson county, volunteer. 

Donald McLeod, freeholder, Cumberland county. Master to two 
regiments, General McDonald's Army. 



62 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

Donald Stuart, Quarter Master to Col. Rutherford's Regiment. 

Allen MacDonald, of Kingsborough, freeholder of Anson county. 
Col. of Regiment. 

Duncan St. Clair. 

Daniel McDaniel, Lieutenant to Seymore York's company. 

Alexander McRaw, freeholder, Anson county, Capt. of a com- 
pany of forty-seven men. 

Kenneth Stuart, Lieutenant, Capt. Stuart's company. 

Collin Mclver. Lieutenant, Capt. Leggate's company. 

Alexander MacLaine, Commissary to General MacDonald's Army. 

Angus Campbell, Captain of a company of thirty men. 

Alexander Stuart, Captain of a company of thirty men. 

Hugh McDonald, Anson county, volunteer. 

John McDonald, common soldier. 

Daniel Cameron, common soldier. 

Daniel McLean, freeholder, Cumberland county, Lieutenant to 
Angus Campbell's company. 

Malcolm McNeill, recruiting agent for General MacDonald's 
Army, accused of using compulsion. 

Some of the prisoners were discharged soon after their arrest, by 
signing a proper oath not to bear arms against the United States. 

Most of the prominent characters among both the Highlanders 
and Regulators, some of whom had not been in the battle, but con- 
sidered to be dangerous to the best interests of the province, were 
made prisoners and remanded for trial. Among these were Thomas 
Rutherford and Farquhard Campbell, men of intelligence, wealth, and 
influence. Both were members of the first convention of August 25, 
1774; members of the second convention, signed the articles of Asso- 
ciation, April 3, 1775 ; members of the first Congress which met in 
August, 1775. Their votes were in unison with the rest, but all the 
time kept up a good understanding with the royalists. For a day or 
two before the battle at Moore's Creek, Campbell was 'with General 
MacDonald giving information and advice, and the next day with 
Caswell for the same purpose, and was actually present with him dur- 
ing the engagement, making suggestions and pretending a deep interest 
in the fortunes of the day. 



BATTLE OF WIDOW MOORe's CREEK BRIDGE 63 

There are still many interesting incidents detailed concerning the 
flight of some who took part in the battle. There were others which 
taught the Americans to be constantly on their guard. Among those 
narrated is the action of Colonel Reid and Captain Cunningham, who, 
with a party of fourteen, after the battle, surprised a company of pro- 
vincials at Cross Creek, disarmed them and then made their way to 
Fort Johnson. 



CHAPTER IX. 
Results of the Battle. 

It is the design not to enter into a free discussion of the important 
results accruing from the defeat of the Highlanders at Moore's Creek, 
nor follow up details of acts, however interesting they may be. There 
are certain historical matters which should be adverted to. As this 
battle was the first fought on North Carolina soil during the American 
Revolution, it would have results that might be far-reaching in their 
consequences. 

On the Americans the victory had a most potent effect. It ani- 
mated them with hope, established confidence, increased valor, and 
kindled the flames of patriotism. An enthusiastic patriot, writing under 
date of March 10, 1776, says: "It is inconceivable to imagine what joy 
this event has diffused through this province ; the importance of which 
is heightened by Clinton and Lord William Campbell's being now in 
Cape Fear. How amazingly mortified must they prove in finding that 
this weak, poor, and insignificant Carolina, in less than fifteen days, 
could turn out more than ten thousand independent gentlemen volun- 
teers, and within that time pursue them to the very scene of action. 
Since I was born I never heard so universal an ardor for fighting 
prevail and so perfect a union among all classes of men." 

True to their profession, the leaders of the patriots determined to 
treat the Highlanders in general with the utmost consideration. This 
fact Stedman clearly recognizes, for he records that Colonel Moore and 
Colonel Caswell "behaved with great leniency and moderation towards 
the loyalists while they continued in power." 

The defeat of this army disconcerted tlie plans of Governor Martin, 
but he adhered to the idea that if a considerable force should penetrate 
into the interior, thousands of loyalists would flock to the royal stan- 
dard. Even Cornwallis showed the same idea as late as 1781, when 
he marched his army into Cross Creek. The loyalists, though dis- 

64 



RESULTS OF THE BATTLE 65 

heartened, generally remained faithful to the crown, but disarmed and 
deprived of their leaders, the Highlanders had not the heart again 
to enter the army. They had also taken a parole which nearly all kept 
inviolate. 

During the whole course of the war, the Highlanders were re- 
garded with suspicion, probably caused by unruly spirits among them. 
The Americans did not rest matters simply by confining the officers, 
but every precaution was taken to overcome them, not only by their 
parole, but also by armed force, for a militia company at once was 
stationed at Cross Creek until November 21. On July 28, 1777, it 
was reported that the royalists were in motion, which aroused the 
Americans to arms and a vigilant watch was kept over those at Cross 
Creek. So, also, the Highlanders were kept in alarm. In June, 1776, 
it was reported among them that a company of light horse was coming 
into the settlement, and every one thought he was the man wanted, and 
hence all hurried to the swamps and other fastnesses in the forest. 
From the poor Highland women, who had lost father, husband, brothers 
in battle, or whose men- folk were imprisoned in the jail at Halifax 
there went up such a- wail of distress as to cause the Provincial Con- 
gress to put for-th a proclamation, ordered to be printed into the 
"Erse tongue," in which it was declared that they "warred not with 
those helpless females, but sympathized with them in their sorrow," 
and recommended them to the "bounty of those who had aught to spare 
from their necessities." 

The district in which the Highlanders were settled was in a tu- 
mult for some time after the battle at Moore's Creek. Colonel Cas- 
well marched through the district, but allowed no violence, trying 
in all cases to be just. But there were independent parties who com- 
mitted outrages, of which the legal officers were guiltless. There was 
much suffering caused by the lawless. These inhuman acts were de- 
plored by all the better class, but owing to the disordered state of 
society, such things were often beyond their control. Then the peo- 
ple were aggravated by the acts of British agents who kept up the 
turmoil. Hector MacNeill and Archibald Douglas, of the British army, 
came into the district and tried to exert an influence over the people, 
declaring the British had money to any amount ; that they would con- 



66 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

quer the country, and that the Scotch would be handsomely rewarded 
if found on the king's side. Again the Highlanders began to embody, 
and from that time until the close of the war, the country presented a 
terrible scene of bloodshed, devastation, and ruin. 

From the opening to the close of the Revolution, there were High- 
landers in North Carolina enrolled in both the contending forces. Those 
on the British side were mostly recent emigrants, the bulk of whom 
were not familiar with the English language. Some, however, were 
with the patriots, and fought with Marion and other commanders. 
Those Highlanders belonging to earlier emigrations were principally 
loyal to their adopted country. The contentions of the same race, 
each party striving for mastery would naturally provoke the most severe 
animosities. 

The act of the insurgents of 1776 enrolled in General MacDonald's 
army is sometimes called "The Insurrection of the MacDonalds." Dur- 
ing and after the war these people, to a great number, withdrew from 
the State, some returning to Scotland, and others settled in Nova 
Scotia. 

It will not be necessary, in this connection, to follow the history 
of the officers imprisoned in Halifax jail. I have already done that 
in my Scotch Highlanders in America. However we must present the 
final struggles of Allen and Flora MacDonald. 

With other captured officers, Allen was closely confined in the 
jail at Halifax. On April 11, 1776, the North Carolina Provincial 
Congress resolved that Allen be admitted to his parole ; that he should 
not go without the limits of the town of Halifax ; that he should not 
correspond with any person who is inimical to American interests ; that 
he shall not convey intelligence to such person ; that he will take no 
plans or drafts while on parole, and that every day between the hours 
of ten and twelve o'clock he shall report to the officer of the guard. 

According to a letter dated April 22, 1776, General Donald Mac- 
Donald, Colonel Allen MacDonald of Kingsburgh, his son, Alexander, 
Major Alexander MacDonald, besides fifteen captains, one lieutenant, 
and five minor officers, including the chaplain, Rev. John Bethune,"all 
of the Highland army, were sent prisoners to Philadelphia. 



RESULTS OF THE BATTLE 67 

On the way from North Carolina to Philadelphia, while resting at 
Petersburg, May 2, 1776, Kingsburgh wrote the following letter: 

Sir: Your kind favor I had by Mr. Ugin ( ?), with the Virginian 
money enclosed, which shall be paid if ever I return, with thanks; if 
not, I shall take to order payment. Colonel Eliot who came here 
to receive the prisoners Confined the General and me under a guard and 
sentries to a Room ; this he imputes to the Congress of North Carolina 
not letting Brigadier Lewes (who commands at Williamsburg) know 
of our being on parole by your permission when at Halifax. If any 
opportunity afford, it would add to our happiness to write something 
to the above purpose to some of the Congress here with directions (if 
such can be done) to forward said orders after us. I have also been de- 
pressed of the horse I held, and hath little chance of getting another. 
To walk on foot is what I never can do the length of Philadelphia. 
What you can do in the above different affairs will be adding to your 
former favors. Hoping you will pardon freedom, wrote in a hurry. 
I am with real Esteem and respect, Plonorable Sir, your very obedient 
servt. Allen MacDonald. 

On June 28, Kingsburgh was permitted, after signing a parole and 
Avord of honor, to go to Reading, in Berks County, Pennsylvania. At 
the same time the Committee of Safety 

"Resoked, That such Prisoners from North Carolina as choose, 
may be permitted to write to their friends there ; such letters to be in- 
spected by this Committee, and the jailer is to take care that all the 
paper delivered in to the Prisoners be used in such Letters, or returned 
him." 

The action of the Committee of Safety was approved by the Con- 
tinental Congress, which, on July 9, 1776, "Resolved, That the com- 
mittee of safety of Pennsylvania release Allan McDonald, of Kings- 
borough, a prisoner in the gaol of Philadelphia, on his parole, and that, 
upon his signing his parole, he be treated agreeable to former resolu- 
tions of Congress." His son was ordered released by Congress on the 
fifteenth by the following resolution : "Resolved, That Alexander Mc- 
Donald, son of Captain McDonald, be liberated on his parole, and 
allowed to reside with his father." 

On September 25, the Continental Congress received a report 
from the Committee on the Treasury, in which it is stated that there 
is due "to Colonel Allen McDonald of Kingsborough. and his son, Alex- 



68 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

ander McDonald, for their allowance of two dollars per week for 
21 weeks, and for their servants' allowance, 21 weeks, at one dollar 
per week, settled to the 17th September, 105 dollars." 

The time when Allen MacDonald was removed from Philadelphia 
to Reading, I have not been able to determine. He was removed to 
the latter place, where were confined Allen MacDonald, Sr., Allen Mac- 
Donald, Jr., Alexander MacDonald, Rennel MacDonald, and Archibald 
MacDonald, hostages from the Mohawk settlement, sent there by Gen- 
eral Philip Schuyler. , 

On April 10, 1777. Congress received the following petition from 
Allen MacDonald: 

The Petition of Capt: Allen McDonald of Kingsburgh, to John 
Hancock Esquire, in Congress. — Humbly Sheweth — 

That whereas your Petitioner and Son, are now nigh fourteen 
Months Prisoners of War, and were above four Months of those, in 
close confinement, removed from one Gaol, to another, and different 
places of confinement, in North Carolina Virginia, & Maryland, till they 
arrived in Philadelphia, from there — they were admitted on Parole, to 
reside at Riading, in the County of Berks, where they now are. From 
whence I am hopefull, it will be certified by his Excellency General 
Mifflin, Commanding Officer there and the County Committee, that they 
kept closs to their Parole, without giving the smalest olfence to any 
person whatever — 

Your Petitioner begs leave further to observe, that Provision — 
Drink, Lodging, Cloathing, and in short every thing, is so extrava- 
gantly high priced, that Prisoners must be in a very miserable State, 
Two Dollars, the common allowance pr. Week, being of greater serv- 
ice, ten Months before now, than Six this day — From the above differ- 
ent circumstances ; Your Petitioner expects, you will exchange him, & 
Son for Officers of the like denomination, or order them to New York 
on Parole, till duly Exchanged. — And in complying with either of the 
above requests ; you will very much relieve and Oblige — 

Sir — Your very Humble and Obedient Servant. 

Riading, Aprile 5th, 1777. Allen McDonald. 

Petitioner hath not received even the small allowance of Two Dollars 
[word omitted] -eek, for himself. Son & Servant, from the 30th Decem- 
ber last — [word torn off] received what was due till then, from his 
Excellency General Mifflin. 

Endorsement : Petition. Capt. Allen McDonald of Kingsburgh — Pris- 
oner on Parole in Riading. — , 



RESULTS OF THE BATTLE 69 

10 April, 1777, No. 8. Petition of Allen McDonnel 
read 10 April 1777 
referred to board of war 

On June 10, 1777, the following was offered in Congress: "That 
General Washington be directed to propose an exchange of Lt. Colonel 
Allan McDonald and Lt. Alexander McDonald for such officers of 
equ^l Rank as are entitled to a priority of Exchange." 

On July 22, 1777, Congress received the following from "Alex- 
ander (Allen) McDonald of Kingsborrow" : 

Sir : Some time passd, I petitioned Congress through your hands, 
in regard to my being exchanged, with my Son ; which, His Excelency 
General Mifflin, was so good, as deliver you; Thereafter the Chairman 
of the Committee here, James Reid Esqr: wrott to some of the Mem- 
bers of Congress, that the voice of the People had made joice of Lt. 
Colonel Lutes [who was permited to come home on Parole by His Ex- 
celency Sir William Howe] as their Colonell, & represented me as the 
fittest Person to be Exchanged for him, through my good behaviour & 
Strict attention, with my Son, to our Parole [as they were pleased to 
term it] since we came here — No return being made to this. The whole 
Officers of the 4th : Battalion of Pensylvania Militia in a Body Signed 
a Petition to Congress, praying Colonell Lutes being released from the 
Secret tyes of his Parole, by exchanging him for me, for the above 
reasons, What, success this last Petition had, I have not yet learned, 
tho I fear, it shaired the same fate with the former — Now Sir, permit 
me to say ; when you'll know, the dispersed, and distress't state of my 
family, you will, at least sympathize with me, and pity my oppress'd 
mind. I am here with one of my Sons Seventeen months a Prisoner — 
My Wife is in North Carolina 700 Miles from me in a very sickly 
tender State of health, with a younger Son, a Daughter, & four Grand 
Children — Two Sons in our Service of whom, I beared little or noth- 
ing, since one of them had been wounded in the Battle of Bunkers hill 
— And two in Britain, of whom I beared no accounts since I left it — 
Them in Carolina I can be of no service to in my present state, but 
were I Exchanged, I would be of service to the rest if in life. If not, 
with the assistance of the Almighty my mind wou'd be fix'd — Now Sir, 
let me further tell you, I am a Captain in the Regular Service, & my 
Son a Lieutenant, I rank as Lieut. Colonel of Militia in North Caro- 
lina; in this station I was made Prisoner, and I am convinced Sir 
William Howe will Exchange me in either of those Ranks — if not — I 
hereby binde my honor, my Character, & even my life, I, and my Son 
will returne — if Colonell Lutes is not to be exchanged, fix on whome 



/O FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

you please of equal Rank, & a Lieut : for my Son ; let me bring their 
names to General Howe & if they are not sent, we will upon Honour, & 
Conscience, return to our former Parole — Here is Capt. Graydon of 
your regular Service come home with some other Gentlemen on Parole. 
Could not he be exchanged for me, & some Lieut: you please for my 
Son — Hopeing you'll pardon the anguish of an uneasy mind, and con- 
tribute to its relief, which is but Charity — I am with Respect Sir — 

Your Very Humble — 
and Obedient Servant — 
Riading Julv 18th Allen McDonald of Kingsborrow 

1777' 

To— 

Address : The Honble. John Hancock President — 
of the Continental Congress — 
Philadelphia — 

Endorsement : Letter from Alex. McDonald 
of Kingsborrow 18 July 1777 
read 22 

referred to the board of war 
reported upon 

On August 7, 1777, Congress received a report from the Auditor 
General, in which he states "that there is due to Allan McDonald, his 
son and servant, for their allowance as prisoners, from the 18 Septem- 
ber, 1776, to the 5 August, 1777, being 46 weeks, the sum of 230 
dollars." 

Attempts were made to exchange the Highland prisoners on the 
part of General Washington, and others in authority, but as the cap- 
tives were so unfortunate as to have no one to intercede for them 
among th.ose at Crilish headquarters, on August 21, 1777, Congress, in 
].^assing upon a report from the Board of War, "Rcsohrd, That Allan 
McDonald, of Kingsborough, North Carolina, a captain in the British 
regular service, be permitted to go into New York to negotiate an 
exchange for himself and his son, a lieutenant in the same service ; 
he to give his parole not to convey to the enemy or bring back any intel- 
ligence whatever of a political nature, and to return in a certain time 
to be fixed by his parole or when called for, on behalf of the United 
States." 

Kingsburgh proceeded to New York, and during the month of 



RESULTS OF THE BATTLE 71 

November succeeded in effecting his exchange, and was soon placed in 
command of a company of provincials. 

From the "Letter-Book of Captain Alexander MacDonald of the 
Royal Highland Emigrants," we catch glimpses of Kingsburgh and his 
sons, with letters directed to him, here given in full, as they are of 
interest to all who may desire to know of Flora MacDonald's family : 

Halifax (N. S.) 18 Oct., 1777. 
D" Cousin : I am Extremely happy to hear that you & Y"" Son 
were safe at New York. I hope to have the further pleasure of seeing 
you both soon here in Case you should have Occasion or be at a loss 
for want of money I send you Inclosed the State of your Accot. from 
w^h you can see how much you may Venture to draw for. If Major 
Donald McDonald* is there yet pray give him my kind Compos, j should 
have wrote him long before now if I did not think he had Gone to 
England when Gen' McLean left that place. I have seen a pretty lad 
here a Son of his L*. of Marines. You may tell him he was very well 
and Expected soon to be in England. I dare say Ronald will writ^to' 
you by this Opportunity they are very happy at the thoughts of Seeing 
you soon & for Gods Sake don't Stay long Come to us before the 
Winter sets in & bring all the fine fellows you possibly can get along 
with you but dont venture in anything less than a frigate. Give my 
kind Comp*^ to Sandy tho' a Stranger & am D'' Cousin. 

Yrs Sincerely. 
(*Brigadier-General Donald MacDonald, who commanded in North 
Carolina.) . 

Halifax, 3 1st Deck, 1777. 

D^ Cousin : It is w*'^ Sincere pleasure & Satisfaction I rec*^ 
Yours of the 3^"^ November Ult°. You have surely wrote it in the 
Morning Early Else St. Andrew w*^ have prevented the pleasure of 
my receiving a Letter from you of that date & Nothing can give me 
greater pleasure than to hear of you & Your Son being Safe out of the 
hands of the Rebels. I am also happy to hear of M''^. Macdonald's 
Wellfare and her Spirited behaviour when bro' before the Committee 
of Rascals in North Carolina. 

I don't doubt but She & the Other Gentlewomen there will be 
sorely oppressed by the Savage Cruelty of those Wretches who at 
present has the Upper hand of them Tho' they may Sorely repent it be- 
fore this War is at an End. 

I had rather you was here at the head of your own Company in 
our Regiment than Commanding a Com^ of Provincials _ w'^'* as we 
have a great many Enemys may be made a handle of to hinder our 



72 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

Establishment. Major Small who goes by this Opportunity will talk 
to you more fully on this Subject. The Rank of the Officers of this 
Regm* is already settled by Major Small & the rest of the Officers 
present upon the Spot. How far the Commission you speak of will 
avail you I do not know but I think Sandy McLeod B :M : did try to 
get rank from it when Frazier's Regim* was raised last War but I be- 
lieve Was refused however You'll be in the right to try it if ever the 
Regim*^ be established if not it will not be worth your trouble. 

I have all your Subsistance from the Date of your Commission to 
the 24^^ Feby, 1778, also your arrears and what Ba^ & fforage money 
has been allowed Since as the inclosed abstracts will Show, Your 
Son Sandys, as well as your own for which Sums or whate part of 
them you plese you and Sandy May Draw if you have not Drawn on 
me Allready to the amount of the Ballances in yours favours. You 
See I have Pay'd Some money on your account to Capt. Murdock Mc- 
Lean but Should it not be agreeable to you I have it still in my Power 
to recharge the Same to Cap*^ McLaine, as he has a Chance to See 
you soon you will Settle matters and let me know. I would not advise 
you to venture here but in a man of warr and I assure you I think 
this part of British America the happiest Spot in it at present and 
would be very hapie to see you and all the othere officers of our Corp*^ 
here with all Cliver fifellows of recruits you can Bring with you — we 
want about 85 to Compleat but we Expect a Great Manney from New- 
foundland and from your Endeavours — I hope Major Small will Sende 
Cap*^ Alex'' Campbell to joine his Company or Oblidge him to Quitt, 
which I Darr Sale he will do for a triffle and I hope in that Case you 
will secure it for Sandy being the 2^ oldest Lieutt If there is no 
Certainty of our Establishment I am convinced Campbell will Rathere 
Give up the Company for Nothing rather than be obliged to joine 
at lest would be Glad to take one or two hundered pounds for it I mean 
the Company because (indeed) I would not think Safe to pay above 
one years purchass for it tho' I would be Sory that any body Eles 
Should purchass overy Sandys head. 

As Your Son Ranald is going will be the Bearer of this I need not 
trouble you with any news to tell the truth there are none, only he 
will Give you a Description of the place he is a fine young ffellow and 
will make an Excellent Officer if he lieves — You tell me you have 
contracted a Great Deall of Debt, I Darr Sale you must have lieved 
Expensive but it is high time now my Dear Allan to Study Oeconomy 
your 3 oldest Sons are provided for Espetialy if this Reg^ will Estab- 
lish^ therefore has no right to Expect any more assistance from you, 
if you was worth ten thousand a year Except when a purchass Came 
in their way. 



RESULTS OF THE BATTLE 73 

I Darr Sale you and your Vollunteers make a formidable figure 
in the Dress you have Describ'd to Me which I perfectly understand 
all but the cuteikins which I take to be half Boots or Geatters. 

I cannot Give you the lest accot of Poor Normand Talisker 
Some People told me he and his wife went home what to do there God 
only knows I Don't know that I felt more concerned for a man in 
my life than I have for him Curse the Grogg at lest too much of it. 
I'm hapy to hear poor John McLean and Peggy are unmollested, I 
wish they may continue so. Pray for Godsake is it possible to Gett 
M*"^. McDonald & the othere poor women from N. Carolina — I thought 
my worthy ffriende Major Donald McDonald had Gone to England 
long ago if this findes him with you pray offer him my most Humble 
respects. 

Bring with you or Sende to us Some Syd^r & Aples of the Best 
Sort if they can be Gote if you can go with Safety to Staten island I 
wish you would be so Good as to Sende or order to be Sent Some 
Negro Cliielderen that are at my House as their Mothere is Dead, 
unless you finde m.atters are like to be Sattled in which case I would 
let them Stay where they are I again wish we were alltogethere as the 
more we are in one place the more respectable our appearance wish- 
ing you and all ffriends the complments of the Season and with M". 
McDonald's and my kinde wishes for every thing that can make you 
Hapy & ever I am with Sincerity and truth Dear Cousin 

Yours affectionatly 

A. M. D. 

The third letter is dated 

Halifax, 12'^^, January, 1778. 
D^ Cousin: Since my last of the 31^^ of Decem'' ult° w'^^ will 
be delivered to you by Your Son Ronald who from some hints I rec*^ 
is going there not only w*^ Anxiety to see you but with some other 
Views to get you to lay out the little Money you have in my hands 
in purchasing a higher Commission for himself or Charles a Manuvre 
I w*^ highly approve of if you could afford it, but I have already given 
a hint upon this head & I again tell you that I think y"" three sons 
extremely well provided for consigering their Age especially is this 
Reg*^ be Established as I hope it is by this time. Ronald is already 
in a very good corps & pretty far advanced & probably may have a 
Chance for a Company before this work is at an End. Charles is a 
fine young fellow for whom I have the Sincerest regard but the income 
of a General Off"" w'^ be rather small for him, if he could get it, he 
is very Sensible & very Clever when Sober but rather unhappy when 
he is any ways disguised in Liquor but y"" presence here might be the 



74 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

means of altering him & putting a Stop to it. These Circumstances 
are as galHng to me to relate as they can possibly be to you to hear them 
but I think it my Duty from the Sincerest Friendship to acquaint you 
with them. Were so near Relations indifferent to me I might laugh 
as others do and pass it over in silence. I beg You w^ not let Ronald 
or Charles know any part of this intelligence but with the power & 
authority of a parent Command Ronald at his peril to tell you the 
truth of all he knows Concerning Charles & his Behaviour. I have 
nothing earthly to lay to his Charge but w' the Effects of Liquor is 
the Cause of & a propensity to Extravagance w*^^ I wish to God he 
was cured of As no man has a right to Spend more than his income 
& not even that it being much more honorable for a young Off"" to 
have a Guinea in his pocket to lend to his Comrade than to be obliged 
to borrow one from him & I beg you w^ keep a tight hand & learn 
them to live upon their pay Especially as you have other things to do 
with Y"" money & other people to provide for. In Short I wish you 
was here for several good Reasons. This will be delivered you by 
your old acquaintance Capt" Murd"^ McLean, a Sensible facetious 
clever honest worthy fellow. As its Supposed you are acquainted 
with all the Scotch folks in New York you will no doubt introduce 
Cap* McLean to them all. 

Wishing you a Speedy & Safe arrival here w*''' great Good news 
from the Southward I remain D"^ Cousin 

Y''^ Sincery, 

The last letter is dated 

Halifax, 19*^ feb^, 1778. 

The above is a Copy w'^'^ I intended to send by Capt" Murd^ 
McLane but he departed in such a hurry that I could not get it fin- 
ished. Since w*='^ time I have nothing new to tell you only the De- 
parture of our worthy Major who left us the 27*^ of January & hope 
is now Safe in London where he will insist upon the fate of our Regi- 
ment before he leaves it. So it is to be hoped that two months will 
Satisfy our Anxiety & curiosity. 

I sent my two Eldest boys along with him to the Care of W'". 
Macdonald of Edinburgh and to be sent to the Highlands for one or 
two Years if he approves of it. 

I furnished your Son Ronald with five half Joannis w'^'^ I placed 
to your Ace' as he expected to get an Order from you for that purpose 
& I was obliged within these few days to Accommodate Charles with 
above i50 Ster^ he has by the managem* of your Comp^ the 3 con- 
tingent w'^^ is equal to £27.9 Ster^ a year & ilO paid him out of 
your Baggage & Forrage Money by order of Major Small. If all 



RESULTS OF THE BATTLE 75 

this is not Suff' to Support Char^ what will other poor Subalterns do 
who has not a farthing but their bare subsistance. 

I understand that Charles and Ronald are entirely ag** your Join- 
ing the Regiment. I dont know w*^ good reason they can have for it 
but One thing I am sure of it is absolutely necessary that you should 
be as near them as possible to overawe their Conduct & assist them 
with your good Advice & without you clearly see that you can do bet- 
ter for yourself by staying where you are I w'^ earnestly recommend 
it to you to Join the Reg* as soon as possible with all the Offrs & 
Recruits you can possibly bring along with you As well for the above 
Reasons as for the Character of the Regim^ As the more there are 
together of us the more Respectable Appearance we'll make & of 
Course the better Chance we'll have to compleat our wishes of Estab- 
lishment. 

Bad as this place was always reckoned This certainly the Most 
peaceable Corner now in America & if you can by any Means obtain 
a safe Conduct for Mrs. Macdonald & Mrs. McLeod you might order 
them to follow you to this place. 

I have no more to add but to assure you that I am D"" Cousin 

Y"" Real friend & hble Servant. 

In a letter addressed to Gen. Francis MacLean, dated Halifax, 
July 5, 1778, Capt. Alexander Mac Donald speaks of a letter that the 
former had sent by Allen MacDonald, but the last named had not yet 
arrived. Reference is also made of the cash advanced by Gen. 
MacLean to Allen MacDonald and his thirty recruits. The last ref- 
erence to Kingsburgh is in a letter dated Halifax, August 21, 1778, in 
which is the statement, ^'H Capt. Murd. McLean or Capt. Allan Mac- 
donald Should be there (New York) tell them as I have said before 
it is very surprizing w* keeps them there that I will Certainly Stop 
their Credit from receiving any more money if they dont Join the 
Reg* or Assign Sufficient Reasons to the Contrary." 

Just when Kingsburgh left New York for Halifax, Nova Scotia, 
I am unable to discover. It is, however, probable, some time during 
the autumn of 1778. He joined his regiment, the eighty-fourth, or 
Royal Highland Emigrant Regiment, Second Battalion, taking com- 
mand of the Eighth Company, his commission dating from June 14, 
1775. He was deprived of the rank assigned him by Governor Martin. 
The Second Battalion was commanded by Major John Small. About 
the close of 1778, the regiment received Establishment. The uniform 



76 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

was the full Highland garb, with purses made of raccoon skins. The 
officers wore the broadsword and dirk, and the men a half-basket 
sword. That part remaining in Nova Scotia saw but little service. 
Allen MacDonald remained with his regiment, without seeing any par- 
ticular service, until its reduction in 1783. when he returned to Skye, 
as a captain on half pay. On his arrival at Portree, he was met by 
Flora, with a numerous party of friends, to welcome him. Immedi- 
ately he set out for the estate of Kingsburgh. which during his ab- 
sence in America, had been left open for his return. 

As already noted, the son, Alexander, was released from imprison- 
ment at the same time as the father, and the two proceeded together to 
New York. The next glimpse of Alexander we find him at Fort 
Edward, Nova Scotia, November 23, 1778. The next, he was put in 
command of the prize crew on board the Ville de Paris, and, together 
with his brother, Ranald, went down with that vessel, October 5, 1782. 
How Ranald reached the army I am not informed. It seems reason- 
able to assume he was not at the battle of the Widow Moore's Creek 
Bridge. From MacDonald's "Letter Book," it appears that Charles 
received, in 1776, a commission of lieutenant from j\Iajor Small, and 
was warmly recommended by Earl Percy. 

MacKenzie, in his History of the MacDonalds, states that Flora's 
son, James, was "a brave officer, who served with distinction in Tarl- 
ton's British Legion,'' but does not mention the part performed by 
John. 



CHAPTER X. 
Final Trials of Flora MacDonald. 

Flora MacDonald was soon aroused to the fact that the battle 
was disastrous to her and her immediate countrymen, and that her 
husband, a son, and her son-in-law were incarcerated in the jail at 
Halifax, North Carolina. Woes rapidly crowded upon her, all of 
which, in the spirit of a true heroine, she attempted to surmount. She 
was denied the privilege of visiting her husband and never saw him 
again in America. 

War is the reverse of humanity. Its horrors have been pictured 
by the ablest pens. It arouses all the baser passions. Fortunately 
there are redeeming qualities. There are characters able to rise pre- 
eminent. There is no evidence that Flora MacDonald was ever bitter, 
vindictive, or unforgiving. In short, her character, from any view- 
point, is one to be admired. True, she was instrumental in bringing 
on the war, but she paid the penalty without a murmur and without 
a censure. The battle at Moore's Creek must have struck a knell of 
woe to her heart. All her sons were in the British service. Her only 
married daughter, Anne, was settled in a house of her own, and her 
daughter, Fanny, was still in precarious health from the dregs of a 
recent fever, and yet too young to sympathize in her mother's distress. 
The revolution around her was rapid and changing; plots and in- 
trigues various ; alarms constant, and every passing day placed her 
in a position where her mind hovered between hope and fear. Nor 
was this all. She was an object of suspicion, and her every movement 
was noted. Had she not been prominent in the rising of the Mac- 
Donalds? Had she not spoken words of encouragement to and ex- 
horted the Highland army to be brave? Was it not reasonable to 
conclude that her interest and determination were still the same ? 

It would be but reasonable to assume that Flora MacDonald should 
suffer for what she had done, when the war spirit was dominant. True, 

77 



78 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

she was not arrested, nor imprisoned, nor, in person, was she molested. 
But the purported evidence against her was so great, that she was 
summoned before the Committee of Safety. True to her character, 
during the examination she is said to have exhibited a "spirited be- 
havior." She was permitted to return home in peace, but not so to 
remain, for war produces lawlessness. Irresponsible parties, taking 
advantage of the unsettled state of affairs, ravished her plantation and 
pillaged her residence. As previously noted, her estate was confiscated 
by the Act of November, 1777, passed by the Provincial Congress at 
Newbern, when she sought a home on the plantation of old Kenneth 
Black. If any person was seen in her company it was sufficient evi- 
dence that the party was disloyal to the cause of America. Added to 
all her misery she was called to grieve the loss of a son and a daughter, 
who died of typhus fever, aged respectively eleven and thirteen, buried 
at Killiegrey. Their names have not been preserved. In after years 
the kind-hearted proprietor of Killiegrey, Mr. Gray, fenced in the 
graves, erected a small monument to mark the spot, and cared for the 
same up to the breaking out of the Civil War, but now none of the 
older citizens residing near the place, know anything about the location 
of the graves. 

Mistreatment was perpetrated on her daughters. Caruthers, in 
his Revolutionary Incidents, has preserved an account of the massacre 
at Piney Bottom, a branch of the Rockfish. Here Colonel Wade, re- 
turning home in a peaceable manner, with a few men to guard the 
families with him, was surprised in the night by a large party of Tories, 
who shot down five or six and then plundered the camp. Colonel Wade 
immediately collected about one hundred dragoons. They came into 
Richmond County, caught Daniel Patterson and whipped him until 
he gave the names of all he knew who were at Piney Bottom. In 
Moore County they caught quite a number and put them to death. 
Some of the party came to old Kenneth Black's house. Both doors 
being open, the men rode in until it was full of horses, and the family 
were crowded into the chimney. Mr. Black's family having had the 
smallpox, two daughters of Flora MacDonald, Mrs. Anne MacLeod 
and Fanny, came over to see their friends ; "but, to their utter surprise, 
they found the Whigs there, who took the gold rings from their fingers 




« o 






O c 



FINAL TRIALS OF FLORA MACDONAI.D 79 

and the silk handkerchiefs from their necks ; then putting their swords 
into their bosoms, spHt down their silk dresses and, taking them out 
into the yard, stripped them of all their outer clothing." In the above 
account Caruthers has his date wrong, or else the incident confused 
with another. 

Under all the adverse circumstances Flora continued calm, peace- 
ful, and resigned in her demeanor. 

Allen MacDonald managed to have a letter delivered to Flora, 
in which he advised her to return to the Isle of Skye. It was her 
■desire to remain in America, though in distress and her means limited. 
She decided to comply with her husband's desire, and leave at the 
earliest opportunity. Owing to the scouts of the patriots it was a 
difficult matter to leave the country. But, happening to be at a social 
gathering, she met Captain Eben Ingram, an American officer, to 
whom she narrated her difficulties. He promised to use his good 
offices in her behalf, and soon after secured her a passport from Cross 
Creek to Wilmington. From thence she secured a passage by vessel 
to Charleston, South Carolina. 

It appears to be well established that in order to secure money 
to defray her expense she sold her silverware. A silver tray, reputed 
to have been used for that purpose, was preserved in Wilson, North 
Carolina. Flora possessed a very large and handsome set of silver, 
probably presented her while a prisoner in London. While in Wil- 
mington, perceiving she had not enough money for her journey, she 
was induced to part with it. This was purchased by Richard Quince. 
The waiter, bowl, ladle, and cream pitcher are now owned by Mrs. 
E. J. Justice, of Greensboro. Several other pieces are owned by Mrs. 
Brooke Empie, of Wilmington, and still others widely distributed. It 
would appear that public enterprise would place all in the State museum 
at Raleigh. As previously noted. Col. James MacQueen contributed 
largely, and it is more than probable that others rendered financial 
assistance. 

Killiegrey was forcibly wrenched from Flora MacDonald, and 
long since the residence was destroyed by fire. Upon that home she 
had built her hopes and there anticipated spending her declining years. 
Whatever may have been her misfortunes, "her name is still held in 



80 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

reverence by the people of North CaroHna, and especially by those who 
are descended from the Scotch settlers of the Cape Fear region. The 
memory of the Tory beauty, so brave-hearted, and yet so gentle and 
kind, is as fragrant as the pines among which she lived." 

In 1779, accompanied by Fanny alone, still in ill health, of all 
the family, Flora MacDonald left Charleston on board a British vessel. 
Crossing the Atlantic the Scottish heroine met with another misfortune. 
The sloop in which she sailed encountered a French war vessel, and a 
contest ensued. During the engagement Flora refused to go below, 
but prominently appeared on deck. The courage of the men appearing 
to fail, she ascended the quarter-deck, during the fiercest of the battle, 
and encouraged them to more desperate conduct. She was thrown 
violently down during the afifray and her left arm broken, yet she 
refused to leave her post, and continued to animate the sailors. She 
never left the deck until after the French had been beaten oflf. Ifi 
after years she was accustomed to say that she had fought for both the 
House of Stewart and the House of Hanover, but had been worsted in 
the service of each. 

On arriving in Scotland Flora immediately repaired to the residence 
of her brother in Milton, who erected for her a cottage, where she lived 
until her husband's return. Nothing of a special nature occurred dur- 
ing her sojourn at Milton. She visited her friends and kept up quite 
a correspondence with her acquaintances. Two of her letters have 
been preserved, addressed to the lady of Sir Alexander Muir Macken- 
zie, who had paid great attention to her son, Alexander, when he was 
a boy. 

The first is as follows : 

DuNVEGAN, Skye, 12th July, 1780. 

Dear Madam : I arrived in Inverness the third day after parting 
with you, in good health, and without any accidents, which I always 
dread. My young squire continued always very obliging and attentive 
to me. I staid at Inverness for three days. I had the good luck to 
meet with a female companion from that to Skye. I was the fourth 
day, with great difficulty, at Raasay, for my hands being so pained 
with the riding. 

I have arrived here a few days ago with my young daughter, who 
premises to be a stout Highland "Caileag," quite overgrown of her 



FINAL TRIALS OF FLORA MACDONALD 81 

age. Nanny and her family are well. Her husband was not sailed 
the last account she had from him. 

I have the pleasure to inform you, upon my arrival here, that I 
had two letters from my husband, the latter dated 10th of May. He 
was then in very good health, and informs me that my son Charles 
has got the command of a troop of horse in Lord Cathcart's regiment ; 
but alas ! I have heard nothing since I left you about jny son Sandy, 
which you may be sure, gives me great uneasiness. But I still hope 
for the best. 

By public and private news I hope we will soon have peace re- 
established, to our great satisfaction, which, as it's a thing long ex- 
pected and wished for, will be for the utility of the whole nation, 
especially to poor me, that has my all engaged. Fond to hear news, 
and yet afraid to get it. 

I wait here till a favorable opportunity for the Long Island shall 
offer itself. As I am upon all occasions under the greatest obligations 
to you, should you get a letter from my son Johnie sooner than I 
would get one from him, you would very much oblige me by dropping 
in a few lines communicating to me the most material part of this 
letter. 

I hope you and the ladies of your family will accept of my kindest 
respects, and I ever am, with esteem, 

Dear Madam, your affectionate, humble servant, 

Flora Macdonald. 

P. S. — Please direct to me, to Mrs. Macdonald, late of Kings- 
borrow, South Uist, by Dunvegan. 

To Mrs. Mackenzie of Delvine, by Dunkeld. 

The second letter reads : 

Milton, 3rd July, 1782. 

Dear Madam : I received your agreeable favour a fortnight ago, 
and I am happy to find that your health is not worse than when I left 
you. I return you my most sincere thanks for your being so mindful 
of me as to send me the agreeable news about Johny's arrival, which 
relieved me of a great deal of distress, as that was the first accounts 
I had of him since he sailed. I think, poor man, he has been very lucky 
for getting into bread so soon after landing. I had a letter from John 
which, I suppose, came by the same conveyance with yours. I am told 
by others that it will be in his power now to show his talents, as being 
in the engineer's department. He speaks freely of the advantages he 
got in his youth, and the good example show'd him, which I hope 
will keep him from doing anything that is either sinful or shameful. 

I received a letter from Captain Macdonald, my hxisband, dated 



82 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

from Halifax, the 12th Nov. '81. He was then recovering his health, 
but had been very tender for some time before. My son, Charles, 
is a captain in the British Legion, and James a lieutenant in the same. 
They are both in New York. Ranald is captain of Marines, and was 
with Rodney at the taking of St. Eustati. As for my son Sandy, who 
was amissing, I had accounts of his being carried to Lisbon, but noth- 
ing certain, which I look upon, on the whole, as a hearsay ; but the 
kindness of Providence is still to be looked upon, as I have no reason 
to complain, as God has been pleased to spare his father and the rest. 
I am now in my brother's house, on my way to Skye, to attend my 
daughter, who is to ly-in August. They are all in health at present. 
As for my health at present, it's tolerable, considering my anxious 
mind and distress at times. 

It gives me a great deal of pleasure to hear such good accounts 
of young Mr. Mackenzie. No doubt he has a great debt to pay who 
represents his worthy and amiable uncle. I hope you will be so good 
as remember me to your female companions. I do not despair of the~ 
pleasure of seeing you once more, if peace was restored ; and I am, 
dear Madam, with respect and esteem, your affectionate friend, 

Flora Macdonald. 

Having rejoined her husband, immediately after the close of the 
American Revolution, Flora MacDonald again took up her residence 
at Kingsburgh house, where she continued to reside until her death, 
which occurred March 5, 1790, having retained till the last vivacity of 
character and amiableness of disposition, by which she was distin- 
guished during her whole life. She had gone to a friend's house at 
Peinduin, in her usual health, to pay a friendly visit, and was there 
taken suddenly ill with an inflammatory complaint which failed to 
yield to such medical skill as was available. She retained all her 
faculties to the last, and calmly departed this life in the presence of 
her husband and two daughters. Her remains were shrouded in one 
of the sheets in which Prince Charles had slept at the mansion of 
Kingsburgh. During all her travels she had never parted with this 
sheet. She took it with her to North Carolina, and had it in safe keep- 
ing when her own person was in danger. At her own request all that 
was mortal of her was wrapped in it by her sorrowing family. Under 
shade of night her body was conveyed from Peinduin to Kingsburgh, 
the coffin being elevated on the shoulders of a party of stalwart youths 
selected for the purpose. The funeral cortege had proceeded but a 




TOMD OK FLORA MACDOXALD 

The monument is an lona Cross of the St. Martin Cross tyrie. When erected 
it was the tallest of the kind in existence, its height being '2S'/2 feet. A gale blew 
it down and broke oflf ten feet of it. The inscription around the bevelled edge of 
the flat stone is in ornamental letters, as follows : "Flora Macdonald born at Milton, 
South Uist ITl'i'. Died at Kingsburgh Skye 4th Mar. 1790." It was erected by 
subscription. There is a memorial w-indow to Flora MacDonald in St. Columba 
Ivpiscopal Church, Portree, Skye. 



FINAL TRIALS OF FLORA MACDONALD 83 

short distance when it encountered a dreadful storm. The night was 
of inky darkness, save when relieved by the lightning's red glare. The 
thunder rolled with terrific peals, and the rain fell in torrents. 
The Hinisdale was swollen from bank to bank. Some proposed to 
return, but others declared that she whose body they were carrying 
had never flinched, when alive, from any duty which she had under- 
taken, neither would they in performing the last rites to her mortal 
remains. It was agreed to attempt to cross by the strand near the 
sea beach, which was effected in safety. Having reached Kingsburgh, 
the body lay in state for nearly a week. When the day of the funeral 
arrived several thousand consisting of every rank in Skye and the 
adjacent isles assembled to pay the last tribute of respect. The pro- 
cession was a mile in length, and started at an early hour for the 
church-yard of Kilmuir, at the north end of Skye, sixteen miles distant. 

Both Flora's marriage and funeral were the most numerously 
attended of any in the Western Isles, so far as is known. About a 
dozen pipers of the schools of MacCrimmon and MacArthur, besides 
those from other quarters, were present and simultaneously played the 
"Coronach," the usual melancholy lament for departed greatness. 

On September 20, 1795, Allen MacDonald, Seventh of Kings- 
burgh, departed this life. He is buried by the side of his wife. Flora, 
who honored him with her heart, and for forty years lavished on him 
all the wealth and all the generous impulses of a truly noble and gen- 
erous nature. 

Over the grave of his mother, John erected a marble slab, set in 
a frustom frame, but it was cracked in unloading it from the vessel, 
and in that state was set up. Within a few months tourists had chipped 
and carried every particle away. By public subscription a costly monu- 
ment, with an appropriate inscription, was prepared. It is in the form 
of an lona cross, a solid monolith of Aberdeen granite, twenty-eight 
feet high. This was placed at the grave, but failed to resist the blasts 
of the northern winds. It was upset and broken in two. It has been 
partly restored. In Inverness is a monument to Flora's memory. It 
faces toward the home she loved so well. 

To Allen and Flora MacDonald were born ten children, three of 
whom died in childhood, but names not given. Charles was a captain 



84 FLORA MACDONALD IN AMERICA 

in MacQueen's Rangers ; married, without issue. Alexander, an officer 
in the Insurrection of the MacDonalds, afterwards in the naval serv- 
ice; went down in the Ville de Paris, being on board in command of a 
prize crew. Never married. Ranald, a captain of marines ; unmar- 
ried ; lost on board the Ville de Paris. James served with distinction 
in Tarleton's Legion ; married and had issue. John became Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the Royal Clan Alpine Regiment, and Commandant of the 
Royal Edinburgh Artillery ; married and had issue. Anne married 
Major Alexander MacLeod, in 1775, and had issue. In 1834 she died 
and was buried in her mother's grave. Frances, or Fanny, married 
Lieutenant Donald MacDonald of Cuidrach. Isle of Skye, with issue. 

"Honored be woman, she beams on our sight, 
Graceful and fair, like a being of light, 
She scatters around her, wherever she strays, 
Roses of bliss on our thorn-covered ways — 
Roses of Paradise sent from above, 
To be gathered and twined in a garland of love." 




STATUE OF FLORA MACDOXALD ON CASTUv H I IJ„ IXV'EKNESS 

This momiment was erected at the expense of Capt. T. He.i.lc.son MacDonald, 
a direct descendant of Flora, at a cost of !i!.-,,(l(H.. It faces Skye. On the fron ^; 
the inscription. "Fhad's a dh' fha sas flur an- machair Mairulh clui na h-anmn 

"'"''"Translation of the Gaelic : "As long as a flower grows in r,old the fame of the 

^™'-^ri^'p?e^rver""r Pr>nce Charles Edward will be mentioned in history ^ 
if courage ^: fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honour. ^.Johnson. 



1 



APPENDIX 



Note A. 

Since the book went to press I have received a copy of the Glasgow Weekly 
Herald, July 24, 1909, and in it a correspondent relates a recent visit to Kilmuir 
churchyard, and therein states : "Entering the little graveyard I found myself 
wading knee-deep amongst coarse weeds and long grasses, with which the whole 
place — with the exception of a few mounds — was overgrown, giving it an air 
of sadness and neglect, which even the brilliant sunshine could not dispel. Very 
few of the old graves had any headstones, and so I stumbled about for a while 
over the hidden mounds, being unable to tell, amid the tangle, where there was 
a grave and where there was none. Flora MacDonald's monument stands almost 
in the center of the , little graveyard. It is exposed to all the wild winds of 
winter, and has at one time been supported on the- seaward side by a stout bar 
of iron ; but this now lies detached and useless upon the ground. The great 
stone, however, looked strong and steadfast, as if determined to defy unaided 
the wildest storms that blow, and to prove itself a worthy emblem of the brave 
heart which lies beneath it." 

Note B. 

It may be well to note that the first subscriber to this book is Miss Jessie 
MacLean, of Greensboro, North Carolina; the second, Mr. Edward L. McClain, 
of Greenfield, Ohio, and the third, Mr. James A. McAllister, of Lumberton, 
North Carolina, all of whom have been deeply interested in the enterprise. 



FEB 28 1910 



One 



copy del. to Cat. Div. 



